Pardon granted to over 900 prisoners in Laos

VIENTIANE: -- The president of Laos issued a decree granting pardons to over 900 prisoners nationwide on the occasion of the 39th anniversary of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic on Dec 2, 2014, Lao News Agency reported, citing the Public Security Newspaper.

The pardon was granted to well-behaved prisoners on the National Day, which is regarded as the day Lao people achieved full liberation and became the true owners of their country almost four decades ago.

The Director General of the Department of Imprisonment and Rehabilitation, Ministry of Public Security, Col Saveng Phommaly held a ceremony in Vientiane Capital on Jan 8 to announce the pardon for the prisoners in the presence of Deputy Minister of Public Security Brig Gen Sinthavong Xaynhakone, and other officials.

Under the decree, 171 prisoners were freed including 41 women and two foreigners. Another 167 prisoners had their sentences reduced including 157 women.

Another 22 prisoners, who were given life sentences, had their terms reduced to 20 years. They included four women.

The prisoners were chosen for leniency because of their good behaviour, strict compliance with prison regulations, and intention to change their ways and become good citizens.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/pardon-granted-900-prisoners-laos


-- Thai PBS 2015-01-14

now they are all on the way to TH for work LOL

For a few years (in December) before 2013 the King of Thailand granted qualifying prisoners amnesty or pardon from completing their sentences. Usually it was prisoners who only had a few months remaining of their term or people older than 70+ years.

Does anyone know if and when this has happened in the last two years ?

Thanks

C.