Kuwait's Emir has issued two decrees granting amnesty to several citizens living both in the country and abroad who have been convicted of crimes, state news agency Kuna quoted Parliament Speaker Marzouq Al Ghanem as saying.
The clearance for the decrees came in an extraordinary session of the Cabinet on Sunday following an order last month from Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah to legislative and executive authorities to prepare a framework for the amnesty.
The Emir has granted amnesty to certain Kuwaiti convicts, Kuna said, without specifying the number of recipients or for what they had been convicted.
"The number of pardoned prisoners is around 65, including prominent ex-MP Musallam Al Barrak and others," a source close to the matter told The National.
"This is a new era and a blank page," Mr Al Ghanem said. "We should turn now to tackle more important issues," he added.
Musallam Al Barrak, an outspoken former member of Parliament, was convicted along with several other MPs in 2012 of insulting the Emir and violating constitutional laws.
The move comes after a political stand-off between the government and opposition MPs. Forty politicians publicly appealed for the release of political prisoners and dissidents as a major condition to ending the stalemate and passing economic reforms.
“We request your majesty to kindly approve the beginning of a comprehensive national reconciliation by pardoning Kuwaitis convicted for holding certain political opinions or positions,” MP Obaid Al Wasmi told a press conference in October.
He cited the rapidly changing political environment in Kuwait and the region as a reason for pushing for amnesty.
“This is so that these files do not linger and remain an obstacle for creating a stable environment in Kuwait's small society, which is surrounded by major challenges,” he said.
Expo details
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
FIGHT CARD
Sara El Bakkali v Anisha Kadka (Lightweight, female)
Mohammed Adil Al Debi v Moaz Abdelgawad (Bantamweight)
Amir Boureslan v Mahmoud Zanouny (Welterweight)
Abrorbek Madaminbekov v Mohammed Al Katheeri (Featherweight)
Ibrahem Bilal v Emad Arafa (Super featherweight)
Ahmed Abdolaziz v Imad Essassi (Middleweight)
Milena Martinou v Ilham Bourakkadi (Bantamweight, female)
Noureddine El Agouti v Mohamed Mardi (Welterweight)
Nabil Ouach v Ymad Atrous (Middleweight)
Nouredin Samir v Zainalabid Dadachev (Lightweight)
Marlon Ribeiro v Mehdi Oubahammou (Welterweight)
Brad Stanton v Mohamed El Boukhari (Super welterweight
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
The specs: 2018 Ford Mustang GT
Price, base / as tested: Dh204,750 / Dh241,500
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Gearbox: 10-speed automatic
Power: 460hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque: 569Nm @ 4,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.3L / 100km
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FA Cup quarter-final draw
The matches will be played across the weekend of 21 and 22 March
Sheffield United v Arsenal
Newcastle v Manchester City
Norwich v Derby/Manchester United
Leicester City v Chelsea
Mina Cup winners
Under 12 – Minerva Academy
Under 14 – Unam Pumas
Under 16 – Fursan Hispania
Under 18 – Madenat
About Proto21
Date started: May 2018
Founder: Pir Arkam
Based: Dubai
Sector: Additive manufacturing (aka, 3D printing)
Staff: 18
Funding: Invested, supported and partnered by Joseph Group
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
'My Son'
Director: Christian Carion
Starring: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Tom Cullen, Gary Lewis
Rating: 2/5