Hanoi - Vietnam is to release up to 10,000 prisoners next month before they serve their terms as part of the communist country's annual amnesty programme, an official said Saturday. The Prison Management Department under the Ministry of Public Security is compiling a list of between 9,000 and 10,000 prisoners, who will be offered an amnesty mid-October, according to Pham Duc Chan, head of the department.
"The list will be completed and submitted to the state President Nguyen Minh Triet for approval some time between October 6 and 10," Chan said.
Prisoners who have shown good behaviour and have served at least one third of their terms may have their names on the list.
Those jailed for raping children, trafficking women and children, producing and circulating fame money, drug trafficking and armed robbery will not be considered for amnesty, the official said.
Last year, Vietnam offered amnesty to 6,300 prisoners.
