Amnesty expected ahead of New Year

TIRANA, Dec. 25 – Prisoners who have completed the majority of their sentences and their families are hoping authorities will declare an amnesty for hundreds of prisoners ahead of the New Year, local media report.
The Justice Ministry is preparing the list based on some criteria, usually for those prisoners who are accused of minor crimes or who have little time left to spend in prison.
Some 1,000 persons could benefit from the amnesty, but only one-fourth of them would be released. All those who have less than two years in prison remaining will be the first to benefit.
Another group will have a softening of the verdict but will still continue to stay in prison.
All other prisoners sentenced to more than five years imprisonment are not included in this list. Also those sentenced of corruption of abuse with the post will not be included, authorities said.