Syria has begun releasing prisoners from government jails under a general amnesty announced by President Bashar al-Assad.

Syria has begun releasing prisoners from government jails under a general amnesty announced by President Bashar al-Assad.

"Dozens of prisoners began to be released from Adra prison (in Damascus province) yesterday and the releases will continue today," Anwar al-Bunni said Tuesday.

"The anti-terrorism tribunal and criminal courts are sending lists of the prisoners to be released to the prisons, and security services are handling the lists of those to be released from their facilities," said Bunni.