Laos pardons 900 prisoners

Laos pardons 900 prisoners

Laos has pardoned 900 prisoners nationwide to commemorate the anniversary of the communist regime.

The Lao News Agency said Tuesday that the pardons to were granted Dec 2 to well-behaved prisoners on the National Day. Col Saveng Phommaly, director-General of the Department of Imprisonment and Rehabilitation, held a ceremony Jan 8 in Vientiane to bestow the pardons.

Under the decree, 171 prisoners - including 41 women and two foreigners -  were freed. Another 167 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 good behaviour, strict compliance with prison regulations, and intention to change their ways and become good citizens, the Ministry of Public Security said.

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