168 Egyptian inmates released per presidential pardon

CAIRO – 4 June 2020: The prison authorities in Egypt have released 168 inmates per a presidential pardon, while many others have been granted a conditional release, the Interior Ministry said.

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.

On the occasion of Eid al-Fitr in May, a total of 5,532 were released as per a presidential pardon, announced the Egyptian Ministry of Interior in a statement.

"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.

Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al Sisi issued a presidential pardon for 3,157 prisoners for the arrival of Eid al Fitr (Festival of Breaking the Fast). Meanwhile, the rest of the inmates were released on parole.

Earlier in May, a number of prisoners were released as per another presidential decree 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.