Amnesty decisions announced

A press conference was held in Hà Nội yesterday to announce President Trần Đại Quang’s 2016 amnesty decisions for offenders serving prison sentences and those having their sentences postponed or suspended.

A press conference was held in Hà Nội yesterday to announce President Trần Đại Quang’s 2016 amnesty decisions for offenders serving prison sentences and those having their sentences postponed or suspended. — Photo Doãn Tấn

HÀ NỘI – A press conference was held in Hà Nội yesterday to announce President Trần Đại Quang’s 2016 amnesty decisions for offenders serving prison sentences and those having their sentences postponed or suspended. 

The event was organised by the Presidential Office, the Ministry of Public Security, the Supreme People’s Court, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Governmental Office and relevant agencies. 

Vice Chairman of the Presidential Office Giang Sơn announced the decisions, which will grant amnesty to 4,180 prisoners. One hundred and eighty six criminals will have their sentences postponed and 18 others will have their sentences suspended. 

The decisions will come into force from December 1, 2016. 

Sơn told the press that the Vietnamese Party and State have given amnesty to many offenders who rehabilitated themselves. 

The 2016 amnesty decisions reiterate the Party and State’s clemency policy and the national humanitarian tradition, he said. 

He added that this year’s regulations are stricter; hence, the number of released offenders is fewer than in previous years. 

The amnesty decision was conducted earnestly, publicly and democratically to ensure equality for all criminals without discrimination if they are Vietnamese or foreigners, he stressed. 

Under the Presidential decisions, 14 foreign offenders will be granted amnesty, including nine Chinese, three Lao, one Korean, and one Australian. — VNS