24 January 2009, 15:00
16 persons convicted for March riots in Erevan pardoned in Armenia
Serzh Sargsian, president of Armenia, has pardoned 16 prisoners convicted for taking part in mass riots in Erevan on March 1, 2008.
Sargsian has signed a decree pardoning the persons convicted to 2-3 years of prison for resisting police and committing other offences, states the representative of the president's press service.
According to the source, in signing the decree, the leader of the country has taken into account appeals for pardon from the convicts, absence of previous convictions, family circumstances and their state of health, reports the "RIA Novosti".
Opposition claims that the decree has been signed in connection with the January 26 PACE session which is to discuss the issue of fulfilling PACE resolutions 1609 and 1620 by Armenia, whereby the authorities must release all political prisoners, launch a dialogue with opposition, ensure freedom of mass media, etc., reports ARMENIA Today.
