Presented to Erdoğan: Is a partial amnesty coming? Who will the amnesty cover?

An important development has occurred regarding the 10th Judicial Package, which has been debated in the public eye for a long time. According to a report by Nuray Babacan from Nefes Gazetesi, the regulation was presented to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and the articles constituting a "partial amnesty" were approved.

WHO DOES IT COVER?

The most striking regulation in the package concerns inmates who committed crimes before July 31, 2023. The opportunity for convicts in open prisons to complete the remainder of their sentences outside is being expanded.

THOSE WITH 5 YEARS OR LESS REMAINING ON THEIR SENTENCE WILL BE ABLE TO GET OUT

According to the new regulation, convicts who have five years or less remaining on their total sentence will be able to serve the remainder of their sentences outside. In this context, convicts in open prisons will be released and placed under probation.

MINISTER OF JUSTICE: "NOT AN AMNESTY, BUT AN EQUALIZING REGULATION"

It is stated that this step, which is evaluated as a "partial amnesty" by the public, is not defined as an amnesty by Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç. Tunç argued that the regulation is not an amnesty, but a legal change made within the framework of the principle of equality.

REDUCTIONS ARE ALSO COMING FOR REPEAT OFFENDERS

According to what Nuray Babacan reported, the regulation will not only cover inmates in open prisons but also "repeat offenders" who have previously completed their sentences and committed crimes again. A 25 percent reduction will be applied to the sentences of these individuals.

PRISONS WILL BE EMPTIED

According to calculations, it is estimated that approximately 38 thousand people will be released in the first stage with the expansion of the scope of the probation practice used during the pandemic period. It is stated that this figure could reach 55 thousand and later 100 thousand over time.

APPROVAL CAME FROM THE PRESIDENT

It was stated that the 10th Judicial Package, which includes all these regulations, was presented to President Erdoğan and that Erdoğan approved these regulations. The package is expected to be presented to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) shortly.