Judicial council temporarily frees prisoners to curb virus spread

AMMAN — The Judicial Council has released a number of prisoners as part of the government’s measures to combat the novel coronavirus COVID-19.

Justice Minister Bassam Talhouni on Wednesday said that the decision to release prisoners on a temporary basis is aimed at preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus and protecting public health.

The decision, taken by the Judicial Council and the State Security Court, is the “correct” move, he said, stressing that the temporary release will not affect public safety.

The inmates, who were released temporarily, will returnto prison once the virus outbreak has been contained, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.