South Africa frees 35,000 prisoners April 29, 2012 - 17:48 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - South African authorities have said they are releasing up to 35,000 inmates to ease overcrowding in the nation's prisons, Belfast Telegraph reported. Police minister Nathi Mthethwa said some 14,600 prisoners would be released "conditionally or unconditionally", along with more than 20,000 offenders on probation or parole who qualify to have sentences cut. President Jacob Zuma announced the pardons, known as special remission of sentences, to mark the anniversary of Nelson Mandela winning the nation's first all-race elections in 1994. Mr Mthethwa said violent criminals and those jailed for sexual, drug-related and weapons offences will not be freed. Prison overcrowding is being reduced from 34% over capacity to about 20%. Since 1994, prisoners have been amnestied on several symbolic occasions. Partner news  Top stories U.S. officials say they want to advance efforts to start talks between the Syrian government and opposition leaders. The international conference, backed by Russia and the U.S., aims to find a political solution to the conflict in Syria. Nuland, a career foreign service officer who was until recently State's top spokesperson, was expected to be nominated the post. Alkhatib said Assad should respond within 20 days and that he should then be given a month to dissolve parliament.   Partner news |  Latest news Israeli security expert says Syrian hacker attack foiled  Israel refuses to comment on the strike but officials at the time said Iranian missiles set for Hezbollah were hit.Gyumri to host Europe Day celebrations The celebrations will feature a small information fair, with EU project representatives to brief the visitors on the initiatives launched.1st Armenian interactive fairy tale available for iPhone/iPod Touch The tale sparked great interest in Diaspora. Such projects, namely interactive version of “Alice in Wonderland”, are popular abroad.Expert says Russian FM’s remarks in context of Madrid Principles No decisive developments will follow the meeting between Russian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers, David Jamalyan said. |
