23:10, 23 November 2010

President of Georgia pardons 220 convicts on occasion of "Giorgoba"

In Georgia, full pardon on the occasion of St George's Day ("Giorgoba") was granted to 182 inmates; 32 other prisoners had their sentences halved; three others have their terms reduced; and for three more the conditional imprisonment was replaced by public works.

In Georgia, the St George's Day is a state holiday and a day off. All the country's Orthodox churches hold solemn services; November 23 is also celebrated as the seventh anniversary of the "Revolution of Roses".

As stated at a press briefing by Khatuna Kalmakhelidze, Minister of Correction, Probation and Legal Aid, in total, the presidential pardon decree covered 220 convicts, including 12 women and one minor, the IA "News-Georgia" quotes.

Recommendations on amnesty of 236 inmates were presented by the State Commission on Pardons, the Patriarchate of Georgia and the Prosecutor's Office.