State TV: Assad Offers "Public Amnesty" to All

(FNA)- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Monday announced a "general amnesty" for all crimes committed to date excluding "acts of terrorism," the state media said.

The Syrian state TV cited Justice Minister Najem al-Ahmad as saying the decree was issued in the context of "social forgiveness, national cohesion calls for coexistence, as the army secures several military victories", Al-Akhbar reported.

Under the deal, prisoners sentenced to death will have their sentences commuted and instead serve life with hard labor.

Those serving life in prison will have their sentences reduced to 20 years.

Syrian suspects wanted for crimes have three months to surrender if they are in Syria and six months if they are abroad to take advantage of the deal.

Prisoners convicted of smuggling weapons will be freed after serving one quarter of their sentence.

Prisoners suffering from terminal illnesses, and those over 70, will be released.