Angolan President Joao Lourenco has granted pardons to approximately 50 prisoners, including Jose Filomeno dos Santos, the son of former President Jose Eduardo dos Santos.
Filomeno had been serving a five-year sentence for embezzlement and other charges related to a $500 million fraud case involving the national bank of Angola.
The presidential decree, shared on Facebook, cited “good behaviour” and “absence of social danger” as reasons for the pardons. This decision comes ahead of Angola’s 50th independence anniversary from Portugal, aiming to promote a “climate of harmony and fraternity.”
Jose Eduardo dos Santos ruled Angola for 38 years until his retirement in 2017 and passed away in 2022. His son’s conviction marked Angola’s first significant corruption case since the change of leadership. Alongside Filomeno, three others, including the former governor of Angola’s national bank, were also sentenced for their roles in the scandal.
In related news, Isabel dos Santos, the billionaire daughter of the former president, was recently sanctioned by the UK government amid an anti-corruption drive. She is accused of embezzling at least £350 million from state-run companies and is currently wanted by Angolan authorities for alleged irregularities in managing the national oil company Sonangol.
The Dos Santos family claims they are victims of a political witch hunt.
