528 prisoners released on Sinai Liberation anniversary

CAIRO - 14 May 2020: A number of prisoners were released on Thursday as per Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi decree of pardoning a number of prisoners on the occasion of Sinai Liberation Day on April 25, as a series of presidential pardons have been issued during the past years.

A total of 228 were pardoned as per the presidential decree, while 300 other inmates were released on parole.

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 a 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.

Late in March, the Ministry of Interior's Prison Sector released 392 prisoners upon Presidential Pardon on the occasion of Police Day and the 68th anniversary of the epic Ismailia battle.

The High Commission for Pardon began examining the cases entitled to conditional release, and it selected 285 inmates to be released, while 107 were pardoned.

"The release of the prisoners comes as part of the ministry’s reform plan and to keep up with the punitive execution from a comprehensive perspective, 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.