Vietnam grants amnesty to over18,000 prisoners

HANOI: Vietnam has granted amnesty to more than 18,000 prisoners to mark the 70th anniversary of independence from France, but authorities said Friday they do not include anyone convicted of national security crimes.
Giang Son, deputy chairman of the President’s Office, told a news conference Friday that 18,539 inmates were granted amnesty under two directives signed by President Truong Tan Sang. They will be released from prisons starting Monday.
“The amnesty reflects a tradition for mercy of our country,” he said.
Vice Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc said that there were 34 foreigners are among those to be released — 16 from China, six from Malaysia, six from Laos and two from Australia.