399 prisoners released on October 6 anniversary

CAIRO - 10 October 2019: A total of 399 prisoners were released as per an presidential pardon and on parole on Thursday on the occasion of October 6 War, said the Egyptian Ministry of Interior in a statement.

The ministry announced that 119 inmates were released as per the presidential pardon. President Abdel Fattah El Sisi issued on Saturday decree No. 511/2019 to pardon a number of inmates on the occasion of the celebration of the Armed Forces Day, anniversary of October 6 War.

Meanwhile, those who released on parole reached 280 prisoners, the statement continued.

In September 2019, the Ministry of Interior released on Thursday 403 prisoners in fulfillment of presidential pardons issued in August in the occasion of Eid al-Adha.

After examining all eligible prisoners’ cases, the committee in charge decided to grant 257 conditional releases, and 146 unconditional releases.

In October 2016, President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi announced the formation of a presidential pardon committee, headed by political thinker, Osama al-Ghazaly Harb, for pardoning detainees with charges pending further investigation.

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