PHNOM PENH: Cambodia is considering pardons or sentence reductions for 399 prisoners, including 43 women, to coincide with Khmer New Year in April. Justice Minister Ang Vong Vathana and National Commission for the Evaluation of Prisoners Vong Vathana met with representatives of relevant institutions to consider the requests.
The requests were raised by the directors of 22 municipal and provincial prisons as well as four correctional centres.
Some of the prisoners requested a sentence reduction or pardon based on their good behaviour while serving their sentences.
The Khmer Times said prisoners who committed drug offences and terrible crimes were not included for consideration.
The granting of amnesty is for prisoners who have committed minor offences and those who have shown that they have reformed and qualified.
According to Cambodian law, prisoners who complete two thirds of their sentences may request to be pardoned, while prisoners who complete a third of their sentence, may request for a sentence reduction.
Last year, the National Commission for the Evaluation of Prisoners selected 134 inmates to either be pardoned by the king or have their sentences reduced to mark Khmer New Year.