A total of 505 pleas for presidential pardons have been made since 2008, of which only 43 were upheld, information given in Parliament today shows.

Justice Minister Chris Said told Luciano Busuttil in reply to a parliamentary question that 163 requests for pardons were made in 2008 of which seven were upheld.

138 requests were made in 2009 and eight were upheld.

In 2010 there were 61 requests of which 13 were upheld whereas last year there were 71 requests and 12 were upheld.

This year, 72 requests were made, three were upheld and 57 are still pending.

The minister said pleas for pardons related to drug convictions are referred to the Cabinet.

No details on the granted pardons were given.

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