Iraq frees 2,500 prisoners under general amnesty law
More than 2,500 prisoners have been released across Iraq under the general amnesty law, the Ministry of Justice announced on Thursday, Rudaw reported. Ahmed Laibi, the ministry’s spokesperson, confirmed that the release process is ongoing, with efforts focused on freeing all eligible inmates within the law’s specified timeframe.
The general amnesty law, passed in January, was introduced by Sunni lawmakers and notably amended the definition of affiliation with terrorist organizations. This amendment was crucial for Sunni political blocs to join the ruling State Administration Coalition. Sunni representatives argue that thousands from their community have been unfairly imprisoned since 2003 on terrorism-related charges, including alleged links to ISIS.
The law took effect in mid-February after publication in the Official Gazette. It was part of a package of three controversial laws, alongside changes to the personal status law favored by Shiites and a land restitution law supported by Kurds.
Iraq currently has 30 prisons housing approximately 67,000 inmates, excluding those in the Kurdistan Region and detainees held by security forces and armed groups.
