135 prisoners released upon Presidential pardon

CAIRO – 31 January 2020: The Ministry of Interior's Prison Sector released on Friday 135 prisoners upon Presidential Pardon, according to official statement.

The releasing of the prisoners comes as part of the ministry’s reforming plan and to keep up with the punitive execution through a comprehensive perspective and activating the executive role of the methods of releasing the convicts who have been seen as qualified to start engaging in the society; the ministry stated.

For their part, the relatives of the released poisoners expressed their “deep happiness and gratitude” for the presidential pardon by the Ministry of Interior.

They described the pardon as a “step towards new and stable life for them.”

On January 25, President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi issued a decree pardoning a number of 2975 prisoners and other 498 on parole on the occasion of National Police Day celebration and the 68th anniversary of the heroic epic of the Ismailia battle.

According to the constitution, the president has the right to issue pardons for convicted prisoners after consulting with the Cabinet. However, the perpetrators of certain crimes are not eligible for pardon. These crimes comprise arms trafficking, terrorism, drug trafficking of more than 10 kilograms, “heroin” trade regardless of the quantity, and revenge killing. The decree was published in the official gazette.

Former President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak issued a decision to consider the day an official holiday ‘Police Day’ in February 2009, in appreciation to police efforts, and recognizing their sacrifices.

It also comes to coincide with the January 25 Revolution that took to the streets in 2011, demanding the overthrow of Mubarak’s regime in a series of mass protests that broke out in several Arab countries in what was called then “Arab Spring Revolutions.”