Prisons across the Kingdom have started releasing a number of inmates who are qualified to be set free under an amnesty declared by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman on Thursday.

Security authorities said people imprisoned for 14 types of crimes such as murder, drug smuggling, crimes related to weapons and bombs, and money laundering would not benefit from the amnesty.

Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif, second deputy premier and interior minister, has already instructed security authorities to implement the amnesty on the basis of certain conditions.

Other crimes that are not covered by amnesty are rape, kidnapping and highway robbery, opening fire at security officers, gang robbery, crimes that affect state security, forging Saudi currency or stamps of government, banks, signatures of officials and legal documents issued by courts or notaries.

“If a person commits an offense four times or more and those crimes have been recorded will not be released under the amnesty,” one source said.

Those who are receiving Hadd (prescribed by Islamic law) punishment, prisoners of private rights and individuals facing disciplinary punishment are also excluded.

On the basis of Prince Mohammed bin Naif’s instruction, prisoners held for public rights and those who have not committed major crimes would be released, their fines up to SR500,000 would be written off and lashes would not be carried out.

Prisoners who have been set free on bail will also benefit from the royal pardon, the source said.

“Those sentenced to less than two years will be released after serving one-fourth of the sentence. If an individual is sentenced to five years or more, he/she would be released after completing half of the sentence.”

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