Cambodia to pardon or cut jail terms for 339 prisoners on Buddha's Day

Some 339 prisoners would be freed or see their prison terms reduced on the Visak Bochea's Day, or Buddha's Day, on Tuesday, a justice official said Monday.

King Norodom Sihamoni granted pardons or reduced jail terms for prisoners at the request of the Ministry of Justice, Sam Pracheameanit, chief of the Justice Ministry's Cabinet, said.

"Thirty-five prisoners would be released on the occasion and 304 inmates would get sentence reduction from six months to one year," he said.

Under the kingdom's law, prisoners qualified for pardons have to have served two-thirds of their jail terms, while those eligible for a sentence reduction must have served one-third.

The country usually pardons prisoners on the occasions of Khmer New Year, Visak Bochea's Day, King's birthday and Water Festival.

According to the Ministry of Interior, the country has 14,700 prisoners in all 26 prisons throughout the country.