File Photo A released prisoner hugs a member of his family after Egyptian President El-Sisi issued a pardon for 203 youths jailed for taking part in demonstrations, in front of the main gate of Tora Prison in Tora (Photo: Reuters)
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi pardoned on Wednesday 712 prisoners ahead of the upcoming Eid Al-Fitr holidays, according to a statement by Egypt's interior ministry.
Presidential decree number 133/ 2018 pardons the prisoners on the occasion of Sinai Liberation Day on 25 May.
The prison department has finalised all the paperwork necessary for the pardons to be implemented before Eid Al-Fitr holiday, which follows the fasting month of Ramadan.
Article 155 of the Egyptian constitution stipulates that the president has the power to issue a pardon or mitigate a final sentence after consulting with the cabinet.
The Egyptian president has issued three previous pardons for youth who were mostly imprisoned for violating the 2013 Protest Law. The first decree in November 2016 pardoned 82 prisoners, the second in March 2017 pardoned 203 prisoners, and the third was in May with 332 prisoners.
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