ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Iraq’s justice ministry said Friday that 899 inmates were released from prisons across the country in December following legal reviews and court decisions, almost 500 of whom were freed under the provisions of the General Amnesty Law.

In a statement carried by the Iraqi News Agency, the ministry said the releases were carried out by the Iraqi Correctional Service after files were examined by specialized committees to ensure all legal requirements were met.

According to the statement, 491 inmates were released under Iraq’s General Amnesty Law after authorities confirmed they were eligible, while 408 others were freed based on separate judicial rulings.

The ministry said the release process involves careful file reviews and ongoing coordination with relevant authorities to ensure the law is applied fairly and accurately while protecting the rights of the state, society, and the inmates.

Iraq has been implementing an amended General Amnesty Law since February of 2025, following its approval as part of political agreements within the ruling coalition, with Sunni blocs in particular pushing for the legislation's implementation.

The law revised definitions related to terrorism cases, particularly those linked to arrests during the 2014 war against the Islamic State (ISIS), and has since led to large-scale inmate releases.

Judicial officials say the amnesty has helped ease severe overcrowding in Iraqi prisons, a long-standing issue highlighted by human rights groups, which continue to warn about poor conditions, aging facilities, and limited oversight.

In recent months alone, authorities reported releasing 666 inmates in October and 438 inmates in November under the law.