Egyptian Interior Ministry has announced the release of 1,686 prisoners , to mark the commencement of the Holy month of Ramadan .
According to the ministry,the move was arrived at to implement a modern concept of penal policy, provide inmates with all means of welfare and apply the procedures set for releasing rehabilitated convicts.
Egypt, which had previously pardoned inmates in many occasion, releases prisoners through a Presidential pardon that are customary to both national and religious occasions.
The presidential pardon are not for inmates who were involved in crimes comprising arms trafficking, terrorism, trafficking more than 10 kilograms of drugs, “heroin” trade regardless of the quantity, and revenge killing.
Egyptian President, Abdel Fatah al Sisi issued a Presidential pardon for 3,157 prisoners for the arrival of Eid al Fitr (Festival of Breaking the Fast).
The President also released a number of prisoners in May, last year on the occasion of Sinai Liberation Day. Series of Presidential pardons have been issued during the past years.