Jordan’s King Abdullah II has approved a general amnesty law, leading to the release of more than 7,000 prisoners ahead of Eid al-Fitr, as reported by official media outlets. The state-run Petra news agency disclosed that the Royal Decree was issued to ratify the General Amnesty Law of 2024 as passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives. The release process for those covered by the law is set to commence from Wednesday, following the completion and review of all associated schedules. The process is expected to be swift.
The Minister of Justice, Ahmed Ziadat, stated that the amnesty will result in the release of 7,355 inmates from correctional facilities, including 4,688 for various misdemeanors and 2,667 for drug-related misdemeanors. The general amnesty covers all criminal offenses, misdemeanors, violations, and criminal acts committed before March 19, 2024, with exceptions for 38 crimes including state security, terrorism, human trafficking, espionage, rape, forgery, and money laundering.
This amnesty law comes as Muslims prepare to celebrate Eid al-Fitr next week. The initiative marks King Abdullah’s response to the silver jubilee of his accession to the throne and his constitutional powers, urging the government to draft a general amnesty law and expedite its constitutional procedures. Since assuming his constitutional powers in 1999, King Abdullah has issued four general amnesty laws, with this year’s being the fourth. Since the first general amnesty in Jordan in 1924, this is the 18th amnesty to be granted.
