Burundi to Release Thousands of Inmates to Ease Overcrowding

Voice of America
09 Mar 2021, 19:05 GMT+10

Burundi is set to release thousands of inmates to ease overcrowding in the east African nation's prisons.

Some 5,255 prisoners or roughly 40 percent of the prison population will be set free, according to a decree seen by the Agency France-Press.

President Evariste Ndayishimiye reportedly said the clemency was a necessary step to reduce overcrowding and improve conditions.

The AFP says inmates serving up to five years qualify for the presidential pardon, with the exception of those considered a risk to national security.

Inmates serving time for corruption will be freed on the condition they pay back misused funds, including damages and court costs.

The pending release of the inmates comes a little more than two months after President Ndayishimiye signed a decree freeing four journalists in a highly publicized move after making promises to ease restrictive tactics by his predecessor's administration.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Zimbabwe Star.

More Information

52 ℉

Fair in Madison

International

Section

Coronavirus rates at record high among 19 and younger in Michigan

ATLANTA, Georgia: As Covid-19 cases again increase in states such as Michigan and Minnesota, officials have voiced concern about children ...

Canadian court upholds agreement with U.S. on refusing asylum seekers

OTTAWA, Canada: A Canadian appeals court has upheld a Canada-U.S. agreement to turn back asylum seekers.The ruling overturned a Canadian ...

Disneyland set to re-start operations, Covid precautions in place

BURBANK, California: Disneyland is set to reopen on April 30 and tickets are now being sold for the first time ...

Brexit trade agreement on track for approval by European Parliament

BRUSSELS, Belgium: Committees of the European Parliament handling relations with Britain have approved the EU-UK post-Brexit trade and cooperation deal, ...

After 20,000 servers hacked, all U.S. agencies ordered to use patches

WASHINGTON D.C.: All U.S. government agencies have been directed to install patches on Microsoft software to prevent hacking into emails.The ...

Take trains, not flights, French parliament to tell travelers

PARIS, France: French lawmakers are expected to approve a ban on any domestic flight that can be covered by train ...

Africa

Section