Egypt’s Presidential Pardon committee launched a new measure to release several new prisoners after President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi issued a presidential pardon to release 986 inmates on Eid al-Fitr.
The Committee launched an online form to apply for the release of any prisoner per a presidential pardon.
The Committee, which works with the relevant authorities and several NGOs to pardon those who meet the conditions, held its first meeting with its new formation and prepared a list of detainees for pardoning on the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr.
During its meeting, the Committee discussed the mechanisms for receiving pardon requests from the families of prisoners.
The form was launched through the website of the National Youth Conference.
Speaking at the Egyptian Family Iftar banquet, Sisi announced the authorities were reactivating the Presidential Pardon Committee formed as one of the outcomes of the National Youth Conference, provided that it cooperates with relevant authorities.
“I cannot conceal my immense joy for releasing a batch of our sons over the past days, telling them that the homeland embraces all of us and those differences of opinion do not spoil the homeland’s affairs,” said the president.
Sisi called for a political dialogue with partisan and youth currents without exception.
Partisan groups, and parliamentary and human rights parties welcomed the initiative, demanding authorities focus on releasing “imprisoned activists” and assert “freedoms.”
The Ministry of Interior announced that 986 inmates were released on the occasion of the Eid.
The Ministry confirmed this comes as it follows the “modern sense” of punitive policy, provides various aspects of care for inmates, and activates the executive methods of releasing convicts who have been rehabilitated to integrate back into society.
