With a COVID-19 outbreak now confirmed in Turkey’s prisons, the country’s parliament has approved a new law that would relax sentencing requirements and reduce the prison population by nearly a third, despite criticism that inmates held on terrorism charges will not eligible for early release.
Backed by Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party and the allied Nationalist Movement Party, which together hold a majority in the 600-seat parliament, the bill passed with 279 votes in favor and 51 against.
