ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada (CMC):

Three prisoners from the so-called 'Grenada 17' group who were convicted in the slaying of former Prime Minister Maurice Bishop will be released today, a government statement revealed Thursday.

A statement from the Ministry of National Security in Grenada said Andy Mitchell, Vincent Joseph and Cosmos Richardson were to be released from prison.

The three were among 17, including former Deputy Prime Minister Bernard Coard, who were convicted on 11 counts of manslaughter and sentenced to 30 years in prison for the killings which occurred in the October 1983 coup.

These men have served their time and will now be released, the government said.

"It is government's hope that Mr. Joseph, Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Richardson will rejoin society as productive members of the community and will live a peaceful life having learned from their experience," the statement from the Keith Mitchell administration said.

Sentencing regulations

Under the law governing sentencing regulations, inmates' sentences could be reduced by one third if they have been deemed as being industrious and well behaved.

The ministry said that on the basis of these regulations the three inmates have qualified for the reduction in their sentences.

The ministry said it wanted "to make it clear that the planned release of these men is not based on any court action but is instead as a direct result of the sentences being completed."

Several human rights group have been in the forefront of a campaign to see all 17 released from prison.