22:50, 30 May 2011

Armenian amnesty releases 274 persons

Under the amnesty law adopted on proposal of President Serzh Sargsyan, the Armenian authorities have released 274 inmates from the country's penal institutions. This was announced today by Arsen Babayan, the press secretary of the local Ministry of Justice.

"As of 3:00 p.m. Moscow time, 274 persons were amnestied; and the process continues," said Babayan.

The list of those released includes an ex-MP Sasun Mikaelyan and Nikol Pashinyan, editor-in-chief of the newspaper "Aikakan Zhamanak" (Armenian Time), who had been convicted on the case of mass disorders on March 1, 2008.

Under the amnesty, 379 convicts will have their prison terms cut; and 396 prisoners will be fully released. The entire procedure will be completed by September 21, 2011 - the Independence Day of Armenia.