Egypt - Jan 25, 2012 - 17:40

Egypt is releasing around 3,000 prisoners on the orders of the country's military ruler to mark the one year anniversary of the uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak, officials have said.

Security officials told AFP news agency on Wednesday that 1,959 prisoners were being released after they were pardoned by Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi on Saturday.

"Another 1,014 charged with criminal acts are also in the process of being released early for good behaviour," one official said.