Amiri pardon for prisoners in 2017

Justice Minister and State Minister for National Assembly Affairs Faleh Al-Azb said an Amiri decree was issued for releasing and commuting prisoners’ sentences for 2017. Azb said His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah AlAhmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah issued the decree based on article 75 of the constitution and article 239 of the procedures law. He said this article of the procedures law says “the Amir can, after a sentence is rendered against a certain person, and before implementing it, or during implementation, issue an order to pardon the sentence or reduce it.” He said that some inmates will be released immediately, while others will have their sentences commuted to half. Some will be relieved of judicial deportation, while others will have their fines dropped.

Multipurpose hall reclaimed

The Social Affairs Ministry reclaimed a multipurpose hall from the Union of Consumer Co-operative Societies (UCCS). It said the reason for this action was due to many violations, including the hall being used for conferences by the union. It said the hall was turned into a multipurpose facility without receiving the necessary licenses. A statement said current and previous union administrations used to rent the hall to an investor and used it as a commercial outlet in a clear violation of an administrative decision that regulates the use of halls and sets the fee at KD 100 in the general interest of citizens. Citizens also complained they were forced to deal with the investor. The hall was seized in the presence of a police force.