President pardons 169 convicts

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has today pardoned 169 convicts serving a number of punishments including jail sentences, banishment and house arrests.

President’s Office said in a statement today that the pardons were granted under Article 29 of the Clemency Act of 2010, which allows the President to grant pardons for persons sentenced prior to the commencement of the 2008 Constitution.

A total of 116 individuals were pardoned on parole following consideration of the convict’s age, health, type of medical treatment sought, discipline, circumstance and humanity, the statement said.

Persons who violate their parole will have their pardons retracted and must return to carry out the remainder of the sentence, starting from the time of the pardon, revealed the President's Office.