Africa-Press – Angola. Former prisoners who benefit from the Amnesty Law of the Peu Peu prison, in Cunene province, Monday, praised the gesture of the President of the Republic, João Lourenço, in promoting the return to freedom of several citizens, to that they can be reintegrated into society.
According to former prisoner João Gonçalves, the Amnesty Law demonstrates the interest of the holder of Executive power in the common cause in defending the freedom and legitimate interest of citizens in conflict with the law.
He said that prison is not an expression of retaliation, but an instrument of social protection, stressing that the mass release represents a return to family life and society in general.
“We can only express our deep thanks to the different sovereign bodies, those who directly or indirectly participated in the preparation of this diploma”, he said.
Mariana Alberto, on the other hand, said that she had been sentenced two years ago, served only one year and two months, which is why she praised the presidential initiative and hopes to recover her honor and dignity with society and her family.
He made it known that his stay in the prison allowed him to reflect a lot and, with his release, he will continue the projects guided by acceptable social conduct.
Another of the ex-prisoners, named Bernardo Ngula, said he felt happy and satisfied, having advised others who are in the criminal world to abandon the practices of crime and theft.
Baptista Xavier, on the other hand, thanked the circular because he had been sentenced for three years, but in a short period of time he was released and plans to find a job and support himself.
He said that the experience he had of having lost part of their freedom, as a fundamental right, without being able to circulate freely, should serve for reflection at the time of release.
Citizens convicted with sentences of between one year and eight years in prison were set free for crimes of possession of weapons and ammunition, aggravated theft, minor trafficking, negligent homicide, theft and aggravated theft.
The Amnesty Law, approved on December 15, 2022 by the National Assembly, forgives all common crimes with prison sentences of up to eight years, committed by national or foreign citizens in the period between November 12, 2015 and November 11, 2022.
Military crimes punishable with prison sentences of up to eight years will also be amnestied, except for intentional crimes committed with violence that resulted in death.
The agents of crimes not covered by the Law in question and who have been convicted by a final and unappealable decision have their sentences pardoned in one quarter.
The Law excludes, among others, intentional crimes committed with violence and money laundering.
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