Cabinet pardons remaining jail terms of some prisoners marking Police Day, Jan. 25 Revolution

CAIRO – 22 December 2020: The Cabinet has approved a draft decision by the President to pardon the remaining prison term of some of the convicted, on occasion of Police Day and the January 25th Revolution.  

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.