Turkey Set To Free 38,000 From Prison Under Supervision

ANKARA, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Augst,2016) : Turkey's justice minister unveiled a decree Wednesday paving the way to the release of 38,000 people from prison under judicial supervision.

Bekir Bozdag said on his Twitter account that the measure would only involve crimes committed before July 1, a move excluding any people arrested after the July 15 coup attempt. Bozdag said the measure was not an amnesty, but rather a conditional release from prison of inmates who have two years or less remaining on their sentences, and who have displayed good behavior.

The measure excludes people convicted of murder, domestic violence, sexual abuse, or crimes against the state, he added.

After the deadly coup attempt, which martyred at least 240 people and injured nearly 2,200 others, Turkey declared a state of emergency on July 20. During a state of emergency, the Cabinet has the right to issue statutory decrees under the president of the republic without regard to routine procedures and restrictions in Article 91 of the Constitution. These decrees are first published in the Official Gazette and then submitted to parliament for ratification.