The health of Saudi Arabia's King Fahd has improved after more than two months in hospital, officials said Thursday, and thus it was decided to release prisoners, "who do not endanger public security or to the regime."
An official source at the Saudi Interior Ministry, quoted by The Saudi Press Agency, said that the prisoners "detained or convicted for major crimes, those who have been convicted by the Shariah court or expected to be convicted, those who have been detained for special rights, or those who have escaped the penalty either before or after issue of the verdict, will be excluded from the pardon."
Persons due to be granted pardon have to take the pledge of avoiding recurrence of their crimes. In case of recurrence of the crime, they will be re-imprisoned, the statement added.
Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Interior Minister, has issued his directives to the governors of the regions and to all concerned authorities to immediately carry out this order.
