19:00, 31 December 2010

Mikhail Saakashvili pardons over 400 prisoners

By the New Year, the Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili has pardoned 407 prisoners. This was stated at today's briefing by Khatuna Kalmakhelidze, local Minister for Correction, Probation and Legal Aid.

Let us remind you that earlier the Pardon Commission under the President of Georgia gave Saakashvili recommendations to pardon 100 prisoners. In total, the Commission reviewed cases of 218 prisoners. Additionally, the Patriarchy of Georgia presented its own recommendations on pardoning.

Out of the total number of 407 prisoners, 339 persons received full pardon, 58 had their prison terms halved, six received definite reductions of their terms, and four were released from probation.

There are 16 women and one minor among those pardoned.

"The Ministry for Correction is ready to take all necessary steps towards immediate release of all those pardoned, so that they could see the New Year with their families" the "trend" Agency quotes Ms Kalmakhelidze as saying.