Algeria: President Tebboune pardons over 8,000 inmates ahead of independence day

The announcement came from the office of the President on July 4th, highlighting two presidential decrees signed by Tebboune.

“The President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, has signed two presidential decrees, after consultation with the Higher Council of the Judiciary.

The first decree grants measures of pardon for 8,049 inmates, while the second decree pertains to inmates who have obtained educational or training qualifications during the 2023-2024 academic year,” the communiqué stated.

This act of clemency excludes individuals convicted of severe crimes.

Specifically, those found guilty of terrorism, homicide, murder, escape from prison, espionage, conspiracies against state authority, and offenses compromising territorial integrity and unity are not eligible.

Additionally, the decrees do not cover those convicted of forgery of public documents, identity theft, assault on ascendants or minors, rape, kidnapping, human trafficking, organ trafficking, migrant smuggling, drug trafficking, smuggling, and corruption, along with other serious crimes.

The move is seen as a step towards social reconciliation and reintegration of reformed individuals into society, marking the nation’s celebration of its hard-won independence.

By focusing on inmates who have demonstrated efforts to improve themselves through education and training, the presidential pardon aims to encourage positive change and rehabilitation within the prison system.

President Tebboune’s initiative reflects a broader strategy of fostering national unity and reducing recidivism by recognizing and rewarding personal development among inmates.

This approach underscores the importance of second chances and the role of education in transforming lives, even for those who have erred in the past.