대만 당국은 마약 중독자와 강도범 등 만 천여명의 범죄자를 석방했다고 밝혔습니다.
이번 석방은 16일부터 발효된 감형 사면법에 따른 것으로, 천수이벤 총통은 지난 1987년의 전법 종식 20주년을 맞아 이같은 사면법을 제안했었습니다.
수감자들은 그룹별로 유치장에서 풀려났으며, 당국은 가족을 만나지 못한 재소자들을 기차역까지 데려갔습니다.
대만 보건 당국은 마약 치료나 에이즈, HIV 바이러스 감염자 등 지속적인 치료가 필요한 재소자들은 계속 관리하겠다고 밝혔습니다.
Taiwan prisons have released nearly 11-thousand drug users, burglars and other petty criminals.
The prisoners have been freed under a sentence commutation act that came into effect today (Monday). President Chen Shui-bian proposed the statute to mark the 20th anniversary of the end of martial law in 1987.
The prisoners were released in groups from detention centers across the island. Inmates not met at the prisons by their relatives are being taken to train stations to return home.
Health officials say they will keep track of those who require continued medical attention, including certain drug addicts and people living with HIV.
A presidential spokesman (David Lee) says this is Taiwan's largest prisoner release in 16 years.
An estimated 25-thousand inmates could benefit from the commutation.