Hundreds of Yemeni prisoners freed‏

Yemen’s internationally recognized government on Wednesday released hundreds of prisoners charged with lesser crimes amid fears that the coronavirus could spread through the country’s jails.

“More than 470 prisoners were freed from detention facilities in provinces under the legitimate government's control, such as Dhalea, Al Mahra, Hadramawt, Shabwa, Marib and Taez,” a judiciary source told The National.

“These measures were taken according to the directives of the Attorney General."

On Tuesday, chief prosecutors of provinces across Yemen were ordered to visit prisons and immediately release the prisoners, especially those who had served half of their terms.

“Such procedures were urgently implemented to avert the risk of contracting the coronavirus in case the pandemic emerges in the coming days,” the judiciary source said.