Syrian President passes historic decree granting amnesty to all military deserters

Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad passed a historical legislative decree this morning that grants all military deserters amnesty.

According to a government report, the Syrian President issued decree number 18 for 2018, which grants general amnesty for military deserters inside and outside the country and the crimes included in the Military Penalties Law issued by Legislative Decree No. 61 for 1950 and its amendments committed before October 9, 2018.

Not everyone is eligible for amnesty, as the new decree specifically leaves out people wanted for crimes against the state.

However, if they turn themselves within the next four months (6 months for people outside the country), they will be considered for amnesty.

The legislative decree also provides general amnesty for crimes included in the law of Military Service No. 30 of 2007 and its amendments.