Algerian president pardons 60 prisoners convicted of cheating in high school exams

The Algerian Ministry of Justice announced that President Abdelmadjid Tebboune had ordered the release "before the end of this week" of 60 prisoners convicted of cheating in the baccalaureate exams, noting that he took this initiative on the occasion of Eid al-Adha.

The ministry said in a statement, according to "French media", that Tebboune recommended, on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, "compassionate measures for the benefit of young people imprisoned for committing acts of cheating in the baccalaureate exams for the year 2021."

She added that "in this context, the competent judicial authorities will begin to take appropriate measures in order to release about sixty people to join their families and families before the end of this week."

At the end of June, prison sentences were handed down in Algeria for at least 64 people convicted of cheating in matriculation exams.

Prison sentences for those convicted ranged from six months to three years, in addition to heavy fines, according to what was announced at the time by the Ministry of Justice.