Iraq has begun releasing prisoners under a general amnesty granted to all inmates in the country's jails.
The amnesty is to mark Saddam Hussein's 100% victory in last week's presidential referendum which gave him another seven-year term in office.
In a televised statement, the Information Minister said the amnesty would apply to political as well as criminal prisoners, and also to exiles who have been sentenced in their absence.
Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhafa said the only exception would be for murderers, who could be freed only with the consent of their victims' families.
