Iraq

Iraq Frees Over 19,000 Inmates Under New Amnesty Law

Published MAY 14 2025

Story

Above: Image of the Supreme Judicial Council in Baghdad on Jan. 19, 2022. Image credit: Sabah Arar/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images

The Facts

Iraq released 19,381 prisoners between January and April under a sweeping new amnesty law, judicial authorities said Tuesday. This includes some individuals convicted of Islamic State group (IS) membership but excludes those found guilty of terrorism-related killings,
ABC News
Al Jazeera
The total number of beneficiaries under the law has reached 93,597, including those sentenced in absentia, released on bail, and those with outstanding arrest warrants, following a meeting led by Supreme Judicial Council President Faeq Zeidan.
The New Region
The Times of India
Iraq's 31 prisons currently hold approximately 65,000 inmates, nearly double their intended capacity, with thousands more detainees awaiting transfer to Justice Ministry facilities due to space limitations.
The Associated Press
ABC News
The amnesty law, enacted in January, allows certain prisoners to seek retrials if they claim their confessions were obtained through torture or coercion, while also halting all executions, including those for former IS members.
Times Union
Al Jazeera
The legislation covers various offenses, including corruption, theft, and drug use, while also redefining the concept of terrorism affiliation to ease the burden on the Iraqi judicial system.
The Insight International
The New Region
Under the amnesty program, the government has recovered over 11.9 billion Iraqi dinars, 770 million Syrian pounds, and 76,100 Saudi riyals as part of the law's enforcement measures.
The Associated Press
The New Region

Sources Split

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RIGHT

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The Spin

Narrative A

The amnesty law represents a crucial step toward addressing systemic injustices in Iraq's legal system. Sunni communities have long faced disproportionate targeting under terrorism charges, with many confessions extracted through torture. The new law provides a path to justice for those wrongly imprisoned and helps normalize the country's overcrowded prison system.

ABC News

The New Region

Narrative B

The release of Islamic State group members poses significant security risks and undermines justice for their victims. The sweeping nature of the amnesty law could potentially allow dangerous individuals back into society, and the halt on executions may embolden future terrorist activities. The law's implementation requires stricter oversight to prevent potential security threats.

Al Jazeera

The Times of India