114 prisoners receive presidential pardon on Eid al-Adha

CAIRO – 1 September 2017: Marking the feast of Eid al-Adha, 114 prisoners were released following a presidential pardon issued to mark the religious feast on Friday. Joy and gratitude were witnessed among the released prisoners and their families at Tura prison.

The Egyptian constitution under article 155 gives the president the authority to pardon or commute the sentence of prisoners, following consultations with the Council of Ministers. The article reads, “The president of the Republic may issue a pardon or mitigate a sentence after consulting with the cabinet. General amnesty may only be granted in a law, which is ratified by a majority of members of the House of Representatives.”

According to the law, presidential pardons of prisoners have four implications:

1. Ending any freedom-restricting penalties.
2. Canceling fine penalties, if applicable.
3. Pardoning the prisoner from police surveillance.
4. The legal effects of the sentence continue to be recorded in the criminal record of released prisoners.

The pardon order will positively impact the community and would give the pardoned prisoners an opportunity to start a new chapter in their lives. It is also meant to promote human rights.

Presidential pardons for releasing prisoners are familiar procedures during religious feasts and national anniversaries. Marking the anniversary of the July 23 revolution, 102 prisoners were pardoned upon a presidential decree to mark the occasion.