(Xinhua/NAN) The Ethiopian government on Wednesday announced amnesty to some 530 federal prisoners amid Ethiopia’s unique Christmas day celebrations. Prisoners were pardoned amid the unique Ethiopian Christmas, as the country prepares to mark the day on Jan. 7 to remember the birth of Jesus Christ based on the traditions of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, state affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate reported on Wednesday. According to the Ethiopian Federal Attorney General’s office, the amnesty was made as part of the ongoing national reconciliation move. Ethiopia, which celebrated its New Year on Sept. 11, had also granted an amnesty for thousands of prisoners on the occasion of the Ethiopian New Year. They include the release of high-level political prisoners, invitation for Ethiopian rebel groups for talks as well as the decision to normalise relations with its regional arch-rival Eritrea.

Source: Ethiopian News January 02, 2019 17:48 UTC