Albania OKs Wide Amnesty for Prisoners
The Communist government of Albania on Friday announced a wide-ranging amnesty for prisoners to mark the 45th anniversary of its liberation during World War II.
Albania’s official ATA news agency, monitored in Belgrade, said the amnesty would become effective Monday.
It did not disclose the number of people to be pardoned but said all prisoners sentenced for up to five years would benefit, except those jailed for “crimes against the state.”
The amnesty would also affect all persons under the age of 18, all women jailed for up to 15 years and all inmates over the age of 60, including political prisoners jailed for “defection and propaganda.”
“All the persons who benefit from this amnesty and are freed will go to their dwelling places and work wherever the country is in need of them,” ATA said.
It added that the decision was motivated by the “incessant strengthening of our socialist order” and Albania’s international position.
Albania, which has for decades been the most isolated country in Europe, has gradually begun to open toward the world after the death of hard-line leader Enver Hoxha in 1985.
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