Beijing plans limited amnesty for prisoners on WWII anniversary

Beijing will grant amnesty to four categories of prisoners to mark this year’s commemorations of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, Reuters reported, citing state media. That will include prisoners who fought in the war against Japanese forces, who fought in wars after 1949 to “protect the country’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity,” or who are older than 75, according to state news service Xinhua. It did not say how many people would be set free as a result of this amnesty, and an official was quoted as saying that exceptions will apply to people convicted of serious crimes.