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Syria release 412 detainees as goodwill gesture

Xinhua, July 16, 2015 Adjust font size:

Syrian authorities Thursday released 412 detainees, imprisoned against the backdrop of the long-running crisis, a source told Xinhua.

The inmates' release coincides with the Muslim Eid al-Fitr feast, due to start on Friday, and comes as a goodwill gesture supporting national reconciliation efforts in the war-torn country, the source said on condition of anonymity.

Releasing political detainees is a key demand of the political Syrian opposition.

The Syrian government released several batches of those whose "hands were not smeared in Syrian blood" since the start of the conflict four years ago.

President Bashar al-Assad additionally issued several general amnesties over the span of the prolonged conflict. Endit