Tebboune signs pardon for 5,539 people

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has signed a presidential pardon decree for 5,539 people in Algeria, the Presidency of the Republic announced on Saturday, 31 October.

DNAlgerie reported that the pardon marks the 72nd anniversary of the start of the Revolution of 1 November 1954.

The pardon covers people whose conviction was final on the day the decree was signed. It applies to people in prison and to people who are not detained, if they meet the conditions.

The main condition is the length of the sentence. According to the Presidency's statement, the sentence, or the part still to be served, must be 24 months or less.

The report does not say from when the measure takes effect.

The pardon is not a general pardon for all convicted people. It is limited by conditions and by a list of excluded offences.

Several groups cannot benefit. People convicted by military courts are excluded, as are those convicted of terrorism, treason or espionage.

Crimes against life and physical safety are also excluded. The list names murder, parricide and violence against ascendants.

Convictions for rape or indecent assault on minors are excluded, whether or not violence was used.

Drug-related offences are also excluded, including drug trafficking. Escape is excluded too.

Several economic and financial offences are excluded. Corruption crimes under law No. 06-01 on the prevention and fight against corruption are among them.

Money laundering, currency counterfeiting and smuggling are also excluded. Breaches of rules on foreign exchange and capital movements are expressly excluded too.