Syria has freed 28 political prisoners, some of whom had been serving life sentences since the 1980s, a human rights group said on Tuesday.
The Human Rights Association of Syria said in a statement the 28 belonged to the banned Muslim Brotherhood movement and the Islamic Liberation Party.
Lawyer and human rights activist Anwar al-Bunni said a total of 257 political prisoners, mainly Islamists, were expected to be released under a presidential pardon.
"We are expecting the release of the rest any time after formalities are completed," he said.