One hundred thirty-nine indebted prisoners were released today on the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr, according to a statement by the interior ministry.

The released prisoners are 126 men and 13 women.

The Interior Ministry, in coordination with Tahya Misr Fund, released the imprisoned debtors after paying their debts. 

The decision is part of the ‘Prisons Without Debtors’ initiative, which was launched by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi in mid-2018.

The Tahya Misr Fund, established by the president in 2014 to support social and economic projects, along with a number of civil society organisations, has settled the debts for many released prisoners.

President El-Sisi often issues prisoner pardons several times a year, usually on major national and religious holidays.