MP Khouly studies clearing pardoned individual’s criminal record

CAIRO - 18 March 2018: MP Tarek al-Khouly, member of the Egyptian Presidential Pardon committee, said Sunday that he is studying the possibility of removing the first and only charge present on a pardoned individual’s criminal record.

In an interview with Asmaa Mostafa on eXtra news, Khouly said the law does not currently permit clearing someone’s criminal record, even if he or she committed only one crime.

Khouly said that after an offender finishes his/her sentence, he/she faces hard social and legal consequences, including being placed on probation, in some cases, from three to five years. He or she become disallowed to vote, to run in any election, or to become a chairman/chairwoman of a company, Khouly added.

Khouly called for the right of those who regain their freedom after being pardoned or after ending their sentence; he called for their acceptance and embracement by society as a measure to prevent them from being triggered to commit more crimes.

Since it was formed in 2016, following a decree by President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, the presidential pardon committee has announced the release of hundreds of detainees.

Pardon lists have involved those who are not proven to be members of terrorist organizations and/or involved in acts that contradict the constitutional presidential pardon standards.

Khouly, said on November 11, 2017, that the committee has been working on finishing the fourth pardon list, in order to prove to the whole world that the outcome of the previously held youth conferences is being executed. The list has not been finished yet.