Libya is planning to grant general amnesty to all convicts sentenced to more than 10 years in prison, even those serving life terms, officials say.
Justice Minister Ali Hasnawi said Tuesday the Higher Judicial Council will take the unprecedented step of pardoning convicts with sentences exceeding 10 years.
He said the amnesty decision coincides with the 36th anniversary of the Libyan revolution, which toppled the monarchy and brought Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi to power.
In the past, amnesties were granted to convicts serving light sentences and those who have served more than half of their terms in prison. The minister did not say if the amnesty decision will include members of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood Organization. According to human rights groups there are some 88 Brotherhood members sentenced to prison.
Source: UPI
