March 12, 2011 -- The Office of the President has refuted claims by opposition Regar newspaper that the President is planning to pardon prisoners.

A press communique from the Office of the President has described the claims as baseless and malicious.

The President has not received any recommendations from Pardons Committee for pardon of prisoners serving sentences at Montagne Posee prison during the last year.

Any statements made by newspapers suggesting that prisoners will be released in the near future are therefore false, added the communiqué.