Avast, ye scurvy dogs! Assad be grantin' amnesty, lessenin' sentences on th' day his father's rule began! Arrr!
2023-11-16
Arr! 'Tis been heard that the Syrian Cap'n, Bashar al-Assad, be passin' a decree o' amnesty and lesser punishments fer all manner o' scoundrelly crimes! Aye, the state affiliates be spreadin' the word.
Syria's president, in a decree reminiscent of the 17th century pirate code, has decided to grant amnesty and reduce sentences for various crimes committed before Thursday. This decree, which came on the anniversary of a historical coup, seems to be a recurring trend for President Bashar Assad since the start of the deadly conflict in 2011. However, no specific reason was provided for this amnesty.According to the decree, individuals convicted of misdemeanors and those serving prison sentences who are 70 years old or suffering from incurable diseases will receive a complete pardon. As for those who were sentenced to death, their punishment will be commuted to life imprisonment, while those sentenced to life in prison will now serve only 20 years.
It is important to note that this amnesty does not extend to crimes related to weapons smuggling or crimes resulting in deaths. So, pirates smuggling weapons may still find themselves in trouble in Syria.
Interestingly, just a day before the amnesty was announced, French judicial authorities issued international arrest warrants for President Assad, his brother, and two army generals. These warrants are based on allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including the use of banned chemical weapons during the conflict.
In conclusion, President Assad's amnesty decree is a 17th century-style gesture, granting pardons and reduced sentences for certain crimes committed before Thursday. However, it does not cover crimes involving weapons smuggling or deaths. Meanwhile, the international community continues to hold Assad accountable for alleged war crimes and the use of chemical weapons.