Jordan releases thousands of debt prisoners to combat coronavirus outbreak

The Jordanian Judicial Council decided on Wednesday to release 3,081 people jailed for civil debts, including 37 women, as part of the Hashemite Kingdom’s efforts to combat the coronavirus outbreak.

The decision was taken during a meeting attended by the council’s President and head of the Court of Cassation, Judge Muhammad Al-Ghazou.

The council explained that there are 3,585 prisoners held on civil debts charges and as part of efforts to prevent the spread of the virus and preserve the prisoners’ health and safety, the judges have decided to postpone their prison sentences for a period of one month for those whose total debt does not exceed 10,000 Jordanian Dinars.

The statement stressed that the decision does not infringe the rights of the creditors because the release is temporary due to the state of emergency.

READ: Egypt called upon to release prisoners due to pandemic