Over 430 persons amnestied in Armenia

According to the latest data, the amnesty declared by the Parliament of Armenia has already released 434 persons, said the press service of the Penitentiary Department of the Ministry of Justice.

On May 26, the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia approved the draft law "On Amnesty", initiated by President Serzh Sargsyan. In accordance with the amnesty, 379 prisoners will have their terms shortened; and 396 inmates will be fully released. The entire procedure will be completed by September 21, 2011, – the Independence Day of Armenia.

The Ministry of Justice has noted that the process of releasing and term-reduction of those amnestied continues. "Another 38 prisoners have their terms reduced," said the press service, as quoted by the "News-Armenia" Agency.

During the past few months the following political prisoners have regained their freedom: Samson Khachatryan, Felix Gevorkyan, Ashot Manukyan, Musheg Sagatelyan and Gabriel Gabrielyan. Those released also include Sasun Mikaelyan and Nikol Pashinyan, editor-in-chief of the "Aikakan Zhamanak" newspaper, convicted on the case on mass disorders on March 1, 2008, and activists of the opposition Shmavon Galstyan and Ara Ovannisyan.