PHNOM PENH: A list of 668 prisoners is being assessed for royal pardon during the upcoming Khmer New Year and Visak Bochea Day.

On Tuesday, 4 April 2023, the Ministry of Justice held a meeting to review the prisoners qualified for jail term reduction and elimination under the chairmanship of Justice Minister Koeut Rith.

From the total list of prisoners, 345 were requested for jail term reduction and elimination during the Khmer New Year, while 323 were requested the same for Visak Bochea Day.

Prisoners eligible for jail term reduction evaluations are those who are aging, disabled, suffering from chronic disease, or charged with minor crimes.

Those seeking elimination must have already served at least two thirds of their sentence, while those requesting a term reduction must have already served at least one third.

The Royal Government of Cambodia typically considers granting royal pardons or jail term reductions to inmates with special conditions, or to those who have exhibited good behavior, during major national celebrations such as 7 January Victory Day, the Khmer New Year, Visak Bochea Day, National Independence Day and the Water Festival.