Kuwait's Emir Pardons 539 Prisoners on National Day 2026
His Highness Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah issues amnesty under Amiri Decree as Kuwait celebrates National and Liberation Day.
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In a significant National Day gesture of clemency, His Highness Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of the State of Kuwait, has granted pardons and sentence reductions to 539 prisoners, the Ministry of Interior announced on Wednesday.
The measure, issued under Amiri Decree No. (21) of 2026, reflects a longstanding tradition of mercy tied to the nation’s February 25 celebrations.
The decision comes as Kuwait marks its 65th National Day and 35th Liberation Day, honouring the anniversary of the country’s independence and commemorating the liberation from Iraqi occupation. National Day festivities across Kuwait have included vibrant displays of national colours, public greetings from foreign counterparts, and heightened readiness from security forces to ensure safe celebrations.
According to the Ministry of Interior’s statement, the pardons and reduced sentences are part of the Kingdom’s humanitarian efforts to give eligible inmates a fresh start and an opportunity to reintegrate into society. Those who met the Amiri pardon criteria have either been released immediately or will soon be reintegrated with their remaining terms shortened.
The Special Security Affairs and Correctional Institutions Sector coordinated the implementation of the decree, working with other government bodies to ensure that legal and administrative procedures were completed swiftly so that beneficiaries could leave prison without delay. Officials described the initiative as a step toward social rehabilitation and strengthening familial and community ties.
National Day in Kuwait, celebrated annually on February 25, marks the ascension of Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah to the throne in 1950 and is observed alongside Liberation Day, which commemorates the end of the 1991 Iraqi occupation. The holidays are a period of national pride and unity, with government offices and businesses typically closed and landmarks lit up in national colours.
The pardons are seen as part of broader traditions of clemency and goodwill during major national occasions across the Gulf, reinforcing Kuwait’s commitment to both justice and compassion as it observes one of the most significant dates in its calendar.