712 prisoners released per presidential pardon, on parole

CAIRO - 12 September 2019: Egypt’s Ministry of Interior released 712 prisoners on Thursday, Sept. 11, according to a statement from the ministry, on the occasion of Eid al-Adha celebrations (Muslims’ Grand Feast).

A total of 237 inmates were given a presidential pardon, while 475 others were released on parole, the statement added.

On September 5, 2019, a group of 587 prisoners were released on the same occasion. Also, more than 1,600 prisoners were released ten days after. Another group of 542 inmates were released on August 23, according to a previous statement from the Ministry of Interior.

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.

On the occasion of Sinai Liberation Day that Egypt celebrates on April 25, a total of 170 of inmates were released as per a presidential pardon, while 136 prisoners were released on May 9. Moreover, the ministry released 518 inmates on parole, and 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.