Some of the freed prisoners walking away from Briman jail. (AN photo by Ghazi Mahdi)

JEDDAH, 19 June 2006 — Authorities in Jeddah freed more than 100 prisoners yesterday in response to the amnesty ordered by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.

Maj. Gen. Ahmad Al-Zahrani, director of Jeddah prisons, said a committee was currently looking into files of all prisoners in order to decide which ones should benefit from the king’s amnesty.

Al-Zahrani said Interior Minister Prince Naif and Deputy Interior Minister Prince Ahmad had instructed jail officials to expedite the procedures. The officials in all jails in the Kingdom are now working under the supervision of the Director General of Prisons Maj. Gen. Ali Al-Harithy, the director added.

King Abdullah declared the amnesty on June 10 at the start of his current national tour. Thousands of prisoners jailed for violating private and public rights as well as committing minor crimes are to be freed under the amnesty. Al-Zahrani added that the released prisoners would be supplied with booklets recommending good social conducts and methods for pursuing various trades. The royal amnesty has also provided the prisoners the opportunity to join their family and relatives.

“Most of the prisoners have completed several vocational training and rehabilitation courses. After studying the Holy Qur’an, many realized their mistakes and repented. They will surely turn over a new leaf in their lives,” the director said.