Ethiopia to pardon over 4,000 inmates over COVID-19

Addis Ababa, March 25, 2020 (FBC) –The Federal Attorney General announced that 4,010 inmates will be granted pardon to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVIDー19) in prisons.

The decision was made after the President approved the list submitted by the board of pardon, said Attorney General Adanech Abiebie.

The pardon was granted to inmates sentenced to 3 years in prison for minor crimes, those left with one year to finish prison terms, pregnant women and mothers with babies, she said.

The pardon doesn’t include those prisoners convicted on charges of murder, the Attorney General stated.

Pardoned foreign nationals will be sent to their respective countries, she said.

The Council of Ministers yesterday passed a decision federal employees, except selected ones,  to work from home, effective from today.

Ethiopia has now 12 confirmed cases of COVID-19.