Rick Halperin
Tue, 9 Dec 2008 17:05:07 -0600
Dec. 9 TANZANIA: Prisoners pardoned in Tanzania Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete has pardoned 4,306 prisoners on the 47th anniversary of the East African nation's independence from Britain, a home affairs ministry statement said on Tuesday. "Most of those pardoned are prisoners convicted of minor offences, aged above 70 years old, pregnant, breastfeeding and those suffering from serious diseases like cancer, TB and HIV and Aids," the statement said. It said the prisoners granted a pardon were serving terms not exceeding 5 years and did not include inmates on death row or convicted of serious crimes related to corruption, drug trafficking, robbery, rape or vandalism. There are over 40 000 prisoners in Tanzania. (source: Independent Online)