Syria's Assad issues amnesty for crimes committed before Nov. 16, 2023, with exceptions

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad issued a general amnesty on Thursday for crimes committed before November 16, though with exceptions including for crimes that had led to the death of a person and arms smuggling.

The decree, issued on Thursday evening, includes a reduction in some sentences. Those qualifying for the amnesty who had been sentenced to death would instead serve lifelong jail terms, while those sentenced to life in prison would have their time reduced to 20 years.