Egyptian Government Releases Prisoners

October 6, 2003

CAIRO, Egypt (AP) - Egypt released nearly 3,000 prisoners, including about 1,000 former Islamic militants, as the country on Monday commemorated the 30th anniversary of its war against Israel.

Relatives who had heard reports of the release flocked to Egypt's prisons Monday, hoping their loved ones would be released.

Egypt sometimes pardons prisoners as an act of goodwill on special holidays.

The former militants, most of them members of al-Gamaa al-Islamiyya, or the Islamic Group, were released after they promised to renounce violence and expressed regret for their bloody past. The group, which tried to overthrow the government in the 1990s, announced a cease-fire in 1997.

Four hundred of the convicted militants were were released Monday, and 600 over the last 10 days.

Monday marked 30 years since Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack against the Israeli-held Sinai Peninsula and the Golan Heights, a strategic plateau. The troops made gains but were beaten back on both fronts. A cease-fire took effect after two weeks of fighting, fixing lines at their prewar positions.

Al-Gamaa al-Islamiyya was once Egypt's largest Islamic militant group. Its campaign to overthrow the government during the 1990s killed more than 1,000 people, mostly militants, tourists and police.

10/06/03 20:15

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