Ethiopia’s Southern State Grants Amnesty to 3,099 PrisonersSeptember 7, 2017 - Following the same suit of other Ethiopian regional states, Ethiopia’s Southern (Debub) regional state granted 3,099 prisoners amnesty ahead of the upcoming Ethiopian New Year, which starts on September 11. Desie Dalkie, chief administrator of Southern regional state said the prisoners were freed because they met the legal requirements for pardon. In Ethiopia legal requirements for pardon include the prisoner's desire to live in peace in the future, the prisoner's confession and repentance, the prisoner's family and health status and the prisoner's good conduct during incarceration. Ethiopia had declared 10-day long nationwide celebrations, which started from September 1, 2017, to usher in the upcoming Ethiopian New Year. The 10-day long nationwide celebrations include Love Day, Mothers' and Children's Day, Elders' Day, Peace Day, Reading Day, Green Development Day, Respect Day, National Feelings Day, Unity Day and Ethiopia Day.

Source: Ethiopian News September 07, 2017 17:03 UTC