General amnesty for political prisoners in Tunisia comes into force

A general amnesty for political prisoners held under the regime of ousted president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali came into force in Tunisia Saturday, the state news agency TAP said.

The measure approved by the cabinet Friday became law in a decree signed by acting president Foued Mebazaa, and applied to "all those who were imprisoned or prosecuted for crimes as a result of their political or trade union activities," TAP reported.

Justice Minister Lazhar Karoui Chebbi said Wednesday that some 3,000 prisoners had already been conditionally released, while a lawyer said between 300 to 500 people remained in jail.