FIFTY prisoners will be released from jail this year under the traditional Christmas presidential pardons.
This is only half the number of people proposed for early release by the Attorney-general’s office. The remaining 50 were mostly foreigners who had either applied for political asylum or were convicted for drug offences.
Of those granted a pardon, 18 were locals and 32 were foreigners. They had served most of their sentence, reports said.
The foreign convicts will be deported upon release.
Presidential pardons do not extend to drug convictions or people imprisoned for sex crimes.
At the same time, prisoners allowed out for Christmas have started being given leave.
Central Prison director Michalis Hadjidemetriou said some convicts who were due leave before Christmas had decided to save their time out and to take it during the holiday season.
Prisoners remaining locked up for Christmas and the New Year will celebrate the holidays with a special celebratory meal, while arrangements have been made to allow more visits and phone calls to loved ones.
More pardons are expected to follow in February after the presidential elections, as it is customary for the new president to exercise this privilege.
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