HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa granted clemency to more than 4,000 prisoners, including some who were on death row, in an independence day amnesty on Thursday.
Zimbabwe marked 44 years of independence from white minority rule, which ended in 1980 after a bloody bush war. The country’s name was changed from Rhodesia to Zimbabwe.
The presidential amnesty, the second in less than a year, benefits female, older and juvenile inmates, the terminally ill and some who were originally sentenced to death.
Those once on death row but who had their sentences commuted to life terms in previous clemency orders or through court appeals are to be freed provided they have been in prison for at least 20 years, according to the clemency order, which was announced Wednesday and due to take effect on Thursday.
All female prisoners who had served at least a third of their sentence by independence day are being freed, as are juvenile inmates who have served the same period.
A Nigerian schoolgirl abducted by extremists 10 years ago is rescued pregnant and with 3 kids
Supreme Court makes it easier to sue for job discrimination over forced transfers
Princess Diana 'deliberately' put wrong birth year down to land first job as nanny to the super
Biden's student loan cancellation plans moves forward
Protesting Spanish professor 'warned university' over Confucius Institutes — Radio Free Asia
Milan's famous La Scala names new director of the opera house after months of controversy
Lab chief faces sentencing in Michigan 12 years after fatal US meningitis outbreak
Alaska Airlines has brief ground stop due to technical issue
Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are OVERPAID at $75k
Man arrested after 3 shot to death in central Indiana apartment complex
As earnings season rolls into its heart, hopes rise for broader gains
Convicted scammer who victims say claimed to be a psychic, Irish heiress faces extradition to UK