Syria: Amnesty announced ahead of presidential elections
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad issued a decree on Sunday authorising the release of prisoners, including those convicted for misdemeanours or complicity in acts of "terrorism," just weeks before planned presidential elections on 26 May.
The election is the second such poll since the start of the country's decade-long civil war. Assad, who has ruled the country since the death of his father in 2000, is widely expected to secure a fourth term.
The state-run SANA news agency published the decree but did not say how many prisoners would benefit.
The amnesty stipulates that pardons will be granted to prisoners convicted for crimes committed before 2 May 2021, including those convicted for misdemeanours as well as minors facing certain charges.
The decree includes crimes related to the terrorism act of 2012, including "conspiracy" to commit a "terrorist" act.
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"Terrorism" is a term used by Damascus to encompass acts carried out by rebels and anti-government activists.
But suspects convicted of "terrorist" acts that led to deaths would not benefit from the amnesty, according to the text of the decree published by the state news agency.
Drug traffickers, smugglers and those convicted for tax evasion could benefit from the amnesty under certain conditions, namely if they agree to pay a fine, according to the text.
Also included in the amnesty are army deserters who turn themselves in within three months if they are in the country, or within six months if they are abroad, it added.
Prisoners with incurable diseases over the age of 70 and kidnappers who agree to set free their hostages within 10 days would also be eligible.
Similar amnesties were announced in 2018 and in 2019.
In 2014, after securing a new term in a controversial election conducted only in government-controlled areas, Assad likewise issued an amnesty.
Syria's war has killed more than 380,000 people and displaced millions since it started in 2011 with the repression of anti-government protests.
Naser al-Hariri, the secretary-general of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, has denounced the election as a "farce," according to German news outlet Deutsche Welle.
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