Foreign convicts may get remissions

DENPASAR: Twelve foreigners jailed on the resort island of Bali may have their sentences reduced as part of a nationwide remission program for prisoners to mark Independence Day on Wednesday, according to an official.

Mayun Mataram of the Bali provincial office of the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights said the 12 foreign convicts were among 27 foreigners from 15 countries currently jailed on Bali.

He said most of the 12 were jailed for drug-related crimes.

Mayun said his office had also proposed remissions for 19 of the 24 people convicted in the Bali bombings.

A total of 53,000 prisoners throughout the country will have their sentences cut by up to seven months when the country celebrates its 60th year of independence. -- Antara