Aceh prisoners to be released

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: An official here revealed yesterday that 562 prisoners in the province will get remissions in conjunction with the Aug. 17 celebration of Indonesian independence.

"The total number of convicts, including political prisoners, to receive remissions this year will be 562," said Tunggak Darmono, an official from the Aceh justice ministry office.

Tunggak was quoted by Antara as saying that at least 16 political prisoners incarcerated for their involvement in the insurgency movement in the province would receive remissions.

He declined to identify the prisoners, but said they would all get their sentences reduced by up to eight months. He said all the prisoners were currently serving sentences of between 3 and 20 years in five penitentiaries in the province.

He also added that a total of 32 people were imprisoned for their involvement in separatist activity in the province.