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Thousands of Jordanians to be freed under general pardon

10 June 2011 02:34 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Jordanian Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit said Thursday some 4,000 prisoners will be pardoned under the General Pardon Temporary Law endorsed by a Royal Decree, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

About 1,500 prisoners will be released immediately, while the rest will be set free in groups, the prime minister said in a press conference Thursday, noting that 1.48 million Jordanians will benefit from the general pardon.

"The measure seeks to build bridges of confidence between the citizens and the government to move forward towards reform and better future for all," Bakhit said.

On Wednesday, a Royal Decree was issued endorsing the General Pardon Temporary Law, which stipulates that the pardon be granted to persons involved in misdemeanors, violations and criminal acts committed prior to June 1, 2011, with specific exceptions.

Exceptions to the pardon include persons and accomplices involved in crimes of espionage, national security, narcotics, organized illegal activities, forgery, sexual assaults, abduction, premeditated murder, human trafficking, fraud, money laundering, terrorism, theft, embezzlement, as well as violations to custom duties and tax laws.