19:30, 18 June 2011

Armenia: 455 persons released under amnesty

The Criminal-Executive Service of the Ministry of Justice of Armenia announced the release of prisoners under amnesty declared in connection with the 20th anniversary of independence proclamation, and reduction of punishment terms. 455 prisoners have been already released and 54 prisoners face reduced punishment terms.

Thus, Nikol Pashinyan, the editor of the Yerevan newspaper "Haykakan zhamanak" and Sasun Mikaelyan, the former delegate, who both were convicted for involvement in the events of March 1, 2008, in Yerevan. In total, 496 prisoners face the amnesty, the "Armenia Today" reported.

On May 26 the National Assembly of Armenia approved the Draft Law "On Amnesty". The whole procedure will be completed by September 21, 2011, that is by the Independence Day of Armenia. As at June 13, 434 persons were released under the amnesty.