Home Minister Imran Abdulla has revealed that 209 prisoners received presidential pardons between December 18, 2018 and June 20, 2019.
Answering lawmakers' questions at the Parliament on Thursday, Imran said President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih did not pardon any prisoners ahead of the parliamentary election. However, the president has pardoned several prisoners who were jailed unjustly after he assumed office.
While 209 were freed between December 2018 and June 2019, the sentences of 79 convicts who were jailed for drug trade, violation of an Islamic 'Hudud', consumption of alcohol and theft were lightened, revealed the minister.
"The government' jailing policy is being shaped in such a way that different rehabilitation programs are being conducted to rehabilitate convicts and prevent them from being involved in bigger crimes", said Imran.
When asked how many people are being held in jails indefinitely, Minister Imran said approximately 400 people are being held in state custody until the end of their trials. Discussions have been carried out with the Supreme Court and the Criminal Court to address the issue, said the Minister.
