President Dr Patrick Herminie has confirmed that he has granted presidential pardons to five convicted prisoners since taking office.
He said the decisions followed recommendations from the Advisory Committee on the Power of Pardon. Mr. Jude Fred chairs the committee, which has seven members.
Of the five people pardoned, two were convicted of drug trafficking, one of murder, and two of conspiracy to commit a terrorist act and possession of explosives.
Speaking on the first three cases, President Herminie said he approved the pardons on humanitarian grounds. He said all three prisoners had serious health conditions. One was terminally ill. Another had a severe medical condition. A third, convicted of drug trafficking, risked losing his feet.
The President said the third individual required medical treatment in India. However, Indian hospitals do not admit convicted prisoners. As a free person, he can now travel for surgery. The individual sustained gunshot injuries to the feet during a riot at Montagne Posée Prison in December 2024.
“The man was in prison under the custody of the Prison Authority, so we were responsible for his security,” President Herminie said.
Turning to the two prisoners convicted of terrorism-related offences, the President said he believed the justice system had failed them. He said he had sought legal advice on whether a retrial was possible. He added that the system had produced many injustices over the past five years and had convicted several innocent people.
Under Article 61 of the Constitution, the President appoints the Advisory Committee on the Power of Pardon. The President appoints members for a seven-year term from candidates proposed by the Constitutional Appointment Authority.