DAMASCUS, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday issued a general amnesty, according to the state news agency SANA.

(File Photo: VCG)

The presidential pardon covers crimes committed before Sept. 24, except for the fugitives, who must surrender themselves to benefit from the amnesty.

The decree minimized some sentences from execution to life-time hard labor imprisonment.

The decree also covers military service penalties.