President al-Assad Issues General Amnesty Decree for Crimes Related to Current Events

President Bashar al-Assad issued Legislative Decree No. 10 for the year 2012, whereby a general amnesty is granted for crimes committed in the context of the events taking place since March 15, 2011 till the date of issuing the decree.

The decree includes the crimes related to the laws on peaceful demonstration, carrying or possessing unlicensed weapons and ammunition and draft evasion.

The fugitives cannot benefit from the decree unless they turn themselves in prior to January 31st 2012.

In a statement to SANA, Minister of Justice, Judge Tayseer Qala Awwad said that the decree aims at granting an opportunity for those who committed crimes related to the events which took place since 15/03/2011, adding that the attorney generals and the Public Prosecution were asked to implement the decree immediately.

Judge Awwad indicated that the new decree is qualitative with regard to the crimes covered by its provisions.

Pardoned Individuals: Amnesty Decree a Chance to Not Repeat Mistakes against Country and Citizens

A number of the people released according to the amnesty decreed said that the decree is chance for returning to society and not repeat what they did before, hoping for security and safety to be restored to Syria.

Several of the released people adviced against participating in protests and vandalism and carrying arms, stressing that what is happening in Syria is the result of a foreign conspiracy targeting its stability and the unity of its people.

They also voiced regret for making mistakes against Syria and citizens, saying that their acts were the results of being deceived.