President Tebboune pardons over 5,500 inmates ahead of independence commemorations

31 October 2026 · Algeria Now

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune signed a decree on Saturday pardoning 5,539 convicts whose remaining sentences do not exceed 24 months. The decree was issued under Articles 91 and 188 of the Constitution after consulting the Supreme Council of the Magistracy.

The pardon covers final convictions only and excludes those sentenced by military courts as well as offences such as terrorism, treason, espionage, murder, drug trafficking, escape, parricide, violence against a parent, rape, sexual offences against minors, economic and financial crimes under the 2006 anti‑corruption law, money laundering, counterfeiting, smuggling and foreign‑exchange or capital‑movement breaches.

Traditionally, pardons are announced on Independence Day on 5 July and Revolution Day on 1 November. This year the decree arrives a day before the 72nd anniversary of the war of independence on 1 November 1954 and just before the local elections campaign opens on 5 November.

The timing coincides with a series of commemorations planned across Algeria this weekend and with Parliament examining the 2027 finance bill. The government has not indicated any further pardons before the upcoming national holidays.

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President Tebboune pardons over 5,500 inmates ahead of independence commemorations

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