Hundreds to leave prison under amnesty

Hundreds of prisoners in Albania will be released immediately after President Bajram Begaj approved a new amnesty law.

The measure will free 466 people, including one woman and one minor. Another 869 prisoners will have their sentences reduced.

Parliament passed the amnesty on 18 June with 83 votes in favour, before Begaj signed it into law on Tuesday.

The law mainly applies to people serving shorter sentences, older prisoners and those who were minors at the time of the offence.

Prisoners who do not qualify for release can still receive sentence reductions. Men can have one year cut from their term, while women and minors can receive an 18-month reduction.

Victims’ civil rights remain unaffected, including the right to seek compensation.