The Association for the Protection of Rights of Prisoners and Released Persons on Friday will protest outside the Presidential Palace against the way the new President has recently granted pardons.
Traditionally, the President in Cyprus can grant pardons every year on holidays like New Year’s Day, Easter, as well as on the anniversary of the Republic or the election of the president.
President Nikos Christodoulides, who won the elections on February 12, has granted pardon to 75 prisoners.
An official announcement said excluded were those who had been convicted of drug trafficking and supply offences as well as sexual offences.
However, the association promptly protested the releases saying some inmates who should have been excluded were pardoned.
And that they were left completely in the dark before the pardon list was drafted.
The Association said the Friday protest, at 12:30pm, is to express a collective objection to the way the presidential pardons were granted.
And to deliver a written memorandum with their recommendations to the President.
Meanwhile, the Prisons Department said that in view of the Easter holidays inmates will be allowed to receive additional visitors, from close relatives, on Holy Saturday on  April 15 or Easter Sunday, April  16, or Easter Monday April 17, without the need for a visitation permit form to be presented. Provided that the visitors present a valid identity card or passport.
The Department of Prisons clarifies that visiting hours are 8:00am to 1:00pm and the duration is 30 minutes.
In addition, visitors are requested to call ahead for a visiting time at 22-406257 and 22-406258.
