Egypt releases imprisoned debtors to mark Ramadan

Ahram Online , Sunday 5 May 2019

debtor prisoners
File photo for debtor prisoners (Photo: Al-Ahram)

Egypt has released 89 imprisoned debtors on the occasion of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins on Monday, a presidential source said.

"A number of debtors were released today, including all women debtors in Egyptian prisons," the source said without revealing the number of those released.

The move followed a decree by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi as part of the "Prisons Without Debtors" initiative, which was launched by 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.

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