Hundreds of prisoners were released Monday as part of President Mohamed Morsy’s pardon for civilians who had been tried before military courts in events related to last year’s revolution, from 25 January last year to 30 June this year.
Morsy had pardoned 572 civilians in military prisons for Ramadan, and so far 457 prisoners have been released.
While prison gates should be closed on holidays according to the law, authorities made an exception for the pardons.
Major General Mohamed Naguib, assistant to the interior minister, told Al-Masry Al-Youm that the prisons sector has started implementing the president’s decree and prepared lists with the names of prisoners to be released.
Apart from those who have already been released, the list of pardoned prisoners includes 115 others who are to be transferred to police departments for involvement in other cases.
Sixteen other prisoners who had been sentenced to 25 years in prison had their sentences reduced to seven years.
Police sources said the committee formed to examine the detainees’ files had recommended pardoning prisoners on charges related to demonstrating or voicing their opinions. Prisoners convicted in cases related to weapons possessions, narcotics dealing or violence were not approved for release.
The president is expected to pardon close to a thousand more detainees for the same reasons in the near future.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
