Algerian president to pardon prisoners

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has announced that he will pardon thousands of prisoners on the occasion of Algeria's Independence Day, which will be marked on July 5.

The Algerian news agency said the Algerian president explained in a press conference he held in Geneva on the sideline of Crans Montana economic forum in Switzerland, that this pardon will cover all persons who were terrorism mediators through financing or giving sanctuary to armed groups.

The Algerian president excluded from his pardon persons who committed crimes of killing and rape. He indicated that the civil reconciliation law which will be debated by the Algerian national people's council in July will be debated for a referendum, regardless of the decision of the council.

Bouteflika stated that the government's council tomorrow will start studying this law and submit it to the Cabinet next Tuesday before debating it before the national People's Council.