Iraq frees 35,000 prisoners under Amnesty law, recovers $34.4 Million

Iraq has released over 35,000 prisoners and detainees under a broad amnesty law enacted earlier this year, the Supreme Judicial Council announced on Monday. The sweeping legislation, aimed at relieving chronic overcrowding in the country’s correctional system, has also recovered more than USD 34.4 million in restitution from those convicted of theft and corruption charges.

The law, passed in January 2025, allows for the release of prisoners convicted of corruption, theft, drug-related offenses, and certain terrorism-related crimes. However, those convicted of killings in connection with terrorism remain ineligible. Officials said another 144,000 individuals, including pre-trial detainees, those out on bail, or facing active arrest warrants, may qualify for release or avoid imprisonment under the legislation.

“This law is a necessary step to address the severe overcrowding in Iraq’s prisons,” said a senior official from the Supreme Judicial Council. “Our facilities were holding more than 65,000 inmates, nearly double their intended capacity of around 32,500. The amnesty has allowed us to restore some balance and improve conditions for remaining prisoners.”

Among the law’s provisions is the opportunity for some convicts accused of terrorism-related offenses to request retrials, particularly if they assert that their confessions were extracted under duress or torture. Additionally, the legislation has temporarily halted executions, addressing longstanding criticism from human rights organizations over Iraq’s use of the death penalty, including mass executions carried out without prior notice to families or lawyers.

The amnesty law has been spearheaded by Sunni lawmakers, who argue that their communities have often been disproportionately targeted under terrorism charges. Confessions, they claim, are sometimes obtained through coercion. “This law is not only about prison reform; it’s about correcting past injustices and ensuring fair treatment under the law,” said one Sunni parliamentarian.

Yet, the legislation has faced criticism from other quarters. Security experts and human rights advocates have warned that the law could inadvertently allow individuals affiliated with extremist groups, including remnants of the Islamic State (IS), to return to society without adequate monitoring. “While prison reform is critical, we cannot ignore the potential security risks posed by releasing certain convicted terrorists,” said a security analyst in Baghdad.

Financial restitution has also been a notable feature of the amnesty program. Courts have successfully recovered USD 34.4 million from individuals convicted of theft and corruption, funds that will be returned to victims or government coffers. Authorities say this approach balances humanitarian concerns with accountability.

Iraq’s prison system has long struggled with overcrowding, limited resources, and outdated infrastructure. The release of 35,000 prisoners represents a significant step toward easing these pressures, though authorities emphasize that ongoing reforms are essential. Plans are underway to expand correctional facilities, improve detention conditions, and ensure compliance with human rights standards.

As the country moves forward with the amnesty program, officials say careful monitoring of released individuals, especially those convicted of terrorism-related offenses, will remain a priority. Meanwhile, the law’s broader social and political implications continue to generate debate across Iraq, highlighting the delicate balance between justice, human rights, and national security.