585 inmates released per presidential pardon

CAIRO – 14 February 2019: A total 585 inmates were released on Thursday, as per a presidential pardon on the eighth anniversary of January 25 Revolution, according to a statement from the Ministry of Interior.

The released group is part of a total of 6,925 prisoners and detained debtors, who were granted their freedom on January 25, 2019.

After being released, the inmates will be placed under the ministry’s department of subsequent supervision, which monitors the released prisoners’ attitude after being re-integrated into the society.

Egyptians celebrated the eighth anniversary of the uprising that ended the 30-year rule of former President Hosni Mubarak. The uprising was staged on the Egyptian Police Day on January 25, 2011 to protest against the ministry’s crackdown on civilians during Mubarak’s era.

According to the constitution, the president has the right to issue pardons for convicted prisoners after consulting with the Cabinet.

On July 23, 2018, 2,391 prisoners have been released, while a total of 405 prisoners were released on June 21, per presidential pardons. Other inmates were granted a conditional release.

On June 15, a total of 2,110 prisoners were released per the same presidential pardon that was issued on the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr (Religious feast marking the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan).