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Iraqi jails emptied Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20021021/wl_nm/iraq_jail_dc_3 http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20021021/wl_nm/iraq_jail_dc_3 World - Reuters Iraqi Jails Virtually Emptied by Saddam Pardon Mon Oct 21, 7:16 AM ET By Nadim Ladki BAGHDAD (Reuters) - For the first time in the 23- year rule of President Saddam Hussein (news - web sites), Iraqi jails were virtually empty Monday after the authorities released thousands of political prisoners and criminal inmates. "The whole of Iraq is free from any prisoner or detainee," Iraq's state television reported in what was dubbed a "prison cleansing" measure. Saddam ordered the immediate release of all political prisoners and most criminal inmates in an unprecedented amnesty Sunday. The surprise move was seen as an attempt to rally Iraqis behind his leadership against a possible U.S. attack. The amnesty, following Saddam's 100 percent victory in an uncontested election last week, also covered those held for evading military service and Arab prisoners, including Kuwaitis. But it was not clear whether Kuwaitis missing since the 1991 Gulf War (news - web sites) would be among those freed. Kuwait and the United Nations (news - web sites) demand Baghdad comply with Security Council resolutions requiring it to account for nearly 600 missing Kuwaitis, but Iraq says it does not know their fate. Saddam's decree also excluded prisoners held or sentenced on charges of spying for Israel and the United States. Those held or convicted for murder would remain behind bars until relatives of victims pardoned them, it said. There was no official figure on the number of prisoners involved in the amnesty. The amnesty decree, carried by state media, was the first time the Iraqi authorities have acknowledged that some prisoners were held for political reasons. In the past they referred to political prisoners as traitors, saboteurs or agents. "The president's deed is a courageous act that united the nation," an Iraqi man who gave his name as Abbas told Reuters. Witnesses said the notorious Abu Gharib jail on Baghdad's outskirts, which held most of Iraq's political prisoners, was virtually empty after thousands of prisoners were released. Among those freed was a senior Shi'ite Muslim cleric from the holy city of Karbala, they said. Jails and detention centers in Baghdad were nearly empty. The amnesty came amid efforts by key members of the U.N. Security Council to agree on a U.S. compromise resolution on arms inspections in Iraq. Washington had earlier sought a resolution authorizing force against Baghdad if it was judged to have impeded weapons inspections. Washington accuses Saddam of developing weapons of mass destruction, a charge Iraq denies. The amnesty was the first time Saddam has pardoned all political prisoners in his 23-year tenure, though he has freed small numbers of prisoners and cut jail terms of others.

britons bush-appeals consequences inspections israel moran-accuses-jews preperation resolutions saddam-deal un-spying warplan 8 euro call for war { January 30 2003 } Americans like nuke Annihilate iraqi society { January 26 2003 } Anti us trade fair Arms civilians { February 5 2003 } Attack debated { August 1 2002 } Baby milk Blair blood price { September 5 2002 } Blair says no un veto Blair war regardless { January 26 2003 } Bush awaits blairs orders { March 7 2003 } Bush blair intent on war despite evidence or UN { March 18 2003 } Bush undettered by opposition { March 3 2003 } Casualties of undeclared war { December 22 2002 } Cheney assures { August 11 2002 } Cia kurds Cia wanted american flags for iraqs after war { October 20 2004 } Coalition has few partners { January 25 2003 } Dan rather interview East europe supports us { November 8 2002 } Germany supplied supergun { January 31 2003 } Hacked saddam email Hussein tactics { December 15 2002 } I26983 2003Feb04L [jpg] Iraq buys nerve antidote { November 12 2002 } Iraq civilians Iraq will gas kurds Iraqi amnesty Iraqi jails emptied Iraqi soldiers thought war started { March 9 2003 } Israel deals kuwait masks Kennedy accuses bush bribing turkey Kurds oust Kuwati attitude different { February 26 2003 } More missile range { November 15 2002 } Msnbc war and consequences N iraq kurdish { August 20 2002 } Negroponte no automatic war { November 8 2002 } No iraq alqaeda link { September 10 2002 } No nerve antidote Nuclear non capability { November 21 2002 } October surprise Opposition funding { February 4 2003 } Powell denies saudis knew war before him Powell says us alone Resolution pretext war Russia iraq ties { January 10 2003 } Saddam accepted exile offer before war Saddam bunker Saddam considers exile { January 14 2003 } Saddam hometown hero Saddam not want war Saddam time nuclear { May 4 2002 } Saddam will blame us { March 12 2003 } Six week war window Smart sanctions { July 2 2002 } Summer saddam Us war attacking iraqi defenses during inspections { July 20 2003 } War effects economy { July 30 2002 } Weapons dossier reveals corporations { December 7 2002 } With or without un { January 22 2003 } Yugoslavia arms ties { November 1 2002 } Files Listed: 62

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