A total of 466 inmates – including 11 women and one juvenile – will be released from prison with immediate effect, while the sentences of 869 others, including eight women and eight juveniles, will be reduced.

The amnesty also covers 5,077 offenders serving alternative sentences under probation supervision. Those convicted by Albania’s Special Court Against Corruption and Organised Crime are excluded.

Under the law, men sentenced to up to three years’ imprisonment, or to lighter penalties including fines and non-custodial sanctions, under final court rulings issued by May 31, 2026, are exempted from serving the remainder of their sentences.

Women sentenced to up to four years in prison, or to lighter penalties, under final judgments issued by the same date are also eligible.

The measure also applies to male inmates with three years or less remaining on their sentence and female inmates with up to four years left to serve.

In addition, all male prisoners aged 60 or over and female prisoners aged 50 or over qualify for the amnesty regardless of the length of their sentence, provided they have not been convicted of offences excluded under the law.

The amnesty also extends to offenders who were aged 18 or younger when they committed their crimes.

Those convicted of serious offences, including murder, crimes against humanity, rape and other sexual offences, human trafficking and a range of other grave crimes, are excluded from the measure, as are individuals convicted by the Special Court Against Corruption and Organised Crime.

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In a post on social media, Lamallari said the adoption of the legislation, which was first approved by the cabinet in January, would allow many families to reunite with relatives, including household breadwinners, women and minors.

He said those benefiting from the amnesty would need support and acceptance from society as they reintegrate, rather than stigma or prejudice.

According to Lamallari, the measure reflects a belief in rehabilitation and second chances, as well as confidence in the ability of individuals to rebuild their lives and contribute to society.

He said the amnesty was in line with the government’s broader vision of modernising criminal justice policy, moving away from what he described as a predominantly punitive approach and aligning it more closely with European values as Albania pursues its goal of European Union integration by 2030.

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Speaking to reporters after a regular cabinet meeting, Lamallari said the beneficiaries include women, minors and foreign nationals, adding that the overall number of people affected by the amnesty is significantly higher.

“Based on the latest data coordinated with the General Directorate of Prisons, the Probation Service and the General Prosecutor’s Office, 447 people will be released immediately, while 853 others will receive sentence reductions,” Lamallari said. He added that 5,077 people serving alternative sentences will also benefit from the amnesty through the Probation Service.

Lamallari said that starting from 2024, criminal proceedings will be discontinued in around 14,000 cases involving minor offences.

The Justice Minister described the measure as a humanitarian act and an opportunity for rehabilitation and reintegration, while also easing overcrowding in prisons and allowing the justice system to focus on cases posing a real threat to society.

“This is not tolerance of crime, but a balanced approach aimed at reintegration and more efficient use of the criminal justice system,” Lamallari said, adding that the policy aligns with concerns raised by the Council of Europe and with European standards, particularly regarding the excessive use of pre-trial detention.

Lamallari said he expects parliament to review the draft law without delay so that the amnesty can take effect as soon as possible.

The amnesty will not apply to cases handled by the Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Prosecution Office (SPAK) and the Special Court.

The draft amnesty law will now be submitted to parliament, where it will be examined by parliamentary committees before being put to a vote in a plenary session.

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In a press statement after overseeing the process of prisoners release from prison in Rrogozhine, Justice Minister Ulsi Manja underlined that no high-level official has benefited from the amnesty.

He also underlined that the criminal amnesty law will save around 30 million euros in public money.

Justice Minister said that 183 inmates, including 15 women and three minors, were released from prison in Rrogozhine today.

The criminal amnesty law, which was approved in Parliament earlier this month, reflects efforts to address overcrowding in correctional facilities and to provide opportunities for those deserving a second chance.

An additional 2,700 individuals currently serving probation will also enjoy the benefits of this amnesty. The eligibility criteria encompass those whose sentences have been finalized by March 31, 2024.

Eligibility extends to male convicts with less than 4 years remaining on their sentences, as well as female and minor convicts with less than 5 years remaining. Additionally, special consideration is given to women over the age of 50, men over the age of 60, and individuals who were sentenced while under the age of 18. These criteria reflect a nuanced understanding of the diverse circumstances that may warrant clemency.

Notably, a total of 15 women and 11 minors will be among those released immediately as part of this amnesty.

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In a declaration forwarded to the Assembly Speaker Lindita Nikolla, the chairman of the DP parliamentary group Gazment Bardhi expressed backing for the amnesty initiative, given that senior officials under investigation or facing sentencing by the Special Court on Corruption and Organized Crime are excluded from its provisions.

Main opposition party also demands that all individuals facing prosecution under charges for criminal offences during protests and rallies until March 31, 2024, be pardoned under the proposed draft law to grant an amnesty to several thousand prisoners.

The proposed amnesty bill to see those serving shorter sentences for lesser crimes, those over a certain age, and many female prisoners released or benefiting from sentence reductions, requires a minimum of 84 votes for its approval in Parliament.

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“Democratic Party is ready to vote any time the first version of the draft law on the criminal amnesty proposed by the government and the Ministry of Justice. The bill version should not include individuals currently under investigation by the Special Prosecution Office SPAK or who haven’t been convicted by the Special Court,” the Secretary of DP’s parliamentary group Arbi Agalliu said in a press statement.

According to him, the proposed bill should also include an amendment forwarded by the Democratic Party to pardon all protestors, be them supporters of DP, other political parties or from the civil society organizations.

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