Sudan Releases 563 Female Detainees

Sudanese authorities in Khartoum's twin city of Omdurman Monday released 563 female prisoners following a pardon by President Omar El Bashir.

The pan-African news agency PANA quoted police spokesman, Major Abubakr Abdulgadir, as saying in Khartoum that 83 percent of the freed inmates had been convicted for offences related to the illegal brewing and trafficking in liquors.

He said the rest were convicted for "violating general morality law" the term used in Sudan to imply prostitution.

Abdulgadir said the ministry of the interior has directed prison administrations nation-wide to release women jailed for such offences, MAP reported.