Ethiopia’s Tigray region pardons over 2000 prisoners

By Tefsa-alem Tekle

November 10, 2008 (MEKELLE) — Ethiopia’s Tigray Regional government officially releases 2167 prisoners in a full amnesty grant to mark the nations and nationalities day which is to be celebrated soon.

Among the pardoned, 512 of them were set free after they were made to reconcile with the people to whom they commit crime to.

Prisoners, who committed crimes in connection with corruption, causing fire and destruction on infrastructures and forests, didn’t get the grant as the constitution doesn’t allow.

The prisoners were released to give them the opportunity to pay back the harm they caused through development efforts on their part, says Meseret Gebremariam,

Regional Security and Administration Bureau Head and calls upon the public to extend their usual cooperation in facilitating the gesture.

The day has a special place to the people of the horn nation as it is a day that nations and nationalities lay the foundation for their democratic unity and to enjoy the right to self administration.

Owing the occasion of the country’s third millennium, Ethiopia last year has pardoned over 20,000 prisoners nation wide.

(ST)