Report: Herzog can shorten Ami Popper’s sentence if a hostage contract sees the publication of terrorists

President Isaac Duke is considering reducing Ami Popper’s prison sentence, who was convicted of murdering seven Palestinian Arabs when a hostage deal goes through, Ynet reported on Sunday. The report states that this would include the shortening of a part of the five remaining years of his prison sentence and not for reasons of “balance and reconciliation” in view of the release of Arabic prisoners in the deal.

The president’s office stated: “An application for reduction in convictions was received on the precedent of President Ezer Weizman regarding the release of prisoners in hostage shops. It should be clarified that no decision was made in this matter and, as mentioned, only if a deal is implemented for the return of the hostage.”