Bangladesh frees 1,000 prisoners

DHAKA - Bangladesh Thursday began releasing about 1,000 long-serving prisoners in an amnesty move that jail authorities say is the largest ever mass release for the elderly and those who have shown good conduct.

The inmates, who have already served 20 years imprisonment, are being released from 61 jails across the country under title 569 of the prison code, which grants amnesty to prisoners who are elderly or have shown good conduct, said Brigadier General Mohammad Ashraful Islam Khan, inspector general (prisons).

“Some of the prisoners are crying after hearing this and some others were jubilant,” Star Online, website of The Daily Star, quoted the official as saying.

Seventy-five of them were being released from the Dhaka Central Jail, the report said.