Jordan amnesty law goes into force

By Laith al-Junidi

AMMAN

An amnesty law passed by the Jordanian parliament came into force on Tuesday after being published in the official gazette.

Almost half of the country's prison population are set to be released under the law, which was approved by King Abdullah II on Monday.

An unnamed government source said prisoners included in the amnesty law will be released as of Tuesday.

Jordanian Justice Minister Bassam al-Tahlouni estimates that around 8,000 prisoners will be pardoned under the new law.

The pardon will include people convicted of crimes ranging from slander, abuse, cyber crimes to tax evasions.

The crimes of espionage and formation of illegal entities are not pardoned under the law.

The pardon is the third of its kind since King Abdullah II took office in 1999.