Pardons Sought for 500 Prisoners
Some 500 prisoners have their names forwarded to Prime Minister Hun Manet to consider for a royal pardon or have their jail terms reduced for Independence Day and the Water Festival. Photo: Facebook
- By Lay Sopheavotey
- November 10, 2023 3:05 PM
PHNOM PENH – Some 500 prisoners have their names forwarded to Prime Minister Hun Manet to consider for a royal pardon or have their jail terms reduced for Independence Day and the Water Festival.
Justice Ministry spokesperson Kim Santepheap said the number represented 60 percent of the preliminary list of 902 prisoners from four correctional centers and jails in 23 provinces and the capital across the country.
Santepheap said the PM will check the list before requesting the King’s approval.
He said that the national commission in charge of vetting inmates does not consider prisoners who have committed drug crimes, atrocities, those who have already received a pardon or commit offences again and hose involved in rape cases.
According to the General Department of Prisons, in 2022 there were 37,840 prisoners with 52.82 percent being drug offenders.
The King usually issues pardons during special occasions including Vesak Day.
Originally written for ThmeyThmey, the article was translated by Nhor Sokhoeurn for Cambodianess
