542 inmates released on occasion of Eid al-Adha

CAIRO - 23 August 2019: Ten days after more than 1,600 prisoners were released, another group of 542 inmates were released on Thursday, according to a statement from the Ministry of Interior.

The second group was released on the occasion of Eid al-Adha celebrations (Muslims’ Grand Feast).

A total of 228 inmates were given a presidential pardon, while 314 others were released on parole, the statement added.

In June 2019, on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr festivals (Muslims’ small feast of breaking the fast), 2,002 prisoners, including female debtors, were released.

On May 31, 2019, Egypt’s Prison Sector released 266 prisoners on parole, while 85 others were released as per a presidential pardon, the Ministry of Interior said in a statement.

The decision of release on the occasion of Sinai Liberation Day Egypt celebrates annually on April 25. On the same occasion, a total 170 of inmates as per a presidential pardon, while the rest of 306 prisoners on May 9. Moreover, the Ministry released 518 inmates on parole, while 67 others were granted the presidential pardon on April 30.

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

Eid al-Adha lasts for four days and honors the willingness of Prophet Abraham to sacrifice his first-born son, Ismail, as an act of submission to God’s command.