Assad Issues Amnesty, Reduces Sentences on Coup Anniversary

Decree excludes amnesty for crimes resulting in deaths and weapons smuggling, as international arrest warrants are issued for Assad and associates.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has issued a decree granting amnesty and reducing sentences for several categories of crime committed prior to Thursday.
The amnesty, issued on the anniversary of the 1970 coup that brought Assad's father to power, includes a complete pardon for misdemeanor convictions and for people serving prison sentences who are over 70 or have incurable diseases.
Those sentenced to death will have their sentences commuted to life in prison, and those serving life sentences will have their terms reduced to 20 years.
The decree does not include an amnesty for the crimes of weapons smuggling or crimes resulting in deaths.
French judicial authorities have issued international arrest warrants for Assad, his brother and two army generals for alleged complicity in war crimes and crimes against humanity, including a 2013 chemical attack on rebel-held Damascus suburbs.