On Thursday, Libya’s Public Prosecution agreed to pardon 1075 inmates. This comes in the implementation of the Supreme Judicial Council’s decision No. 55 of 2023, granting amnesty to inmates who meet the conditions set by the judicial authorities.
In a statement, the Public Prosecution said that the conditions stipulated that inmates “must serve at least half of the sentence, while one-third of the term sufficient for convicts who suffer from chronic diseases, require special medical care, or are over sixty years of age.”
Regarding those sentenced to life imprisonment, the amnesty stipulated that their sentence “should not be less than 15 years in prison; in addition to paying outstanding debts and fines to the state treasury. They should not be repeat offenders, or members of an armed gang.”
The decision excluded those convicted in cases related to “terrorism, harming state security, and retribution. As well as premeditated murder and kidnapping, and forced theft, unless the victim and the perpetrator have reconciled.” It also excludes those convicted of drug offences whose sentences exceed five years.
Lawyers were assigned, in coordination with the relevant authorities, to review each case, and prepare statements for those eligible for the pardon.
In 2020, the government released a total of 466 prisoners in a bid to protect them against the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The detainees had already qualified for conditional release or were in pretrial detention.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) applauded the move as a “positive first step”, but said, “authorities should do more to mitigate the risks of a major COVID-19 outbreak.” It added that Libyan authorities “need to be prepared to limit the spread of the virus in overcrowded detention facilities and shelters for displaced people.”
Libya has been plagued by conflict since the 2011 overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi.
