23:00, 22 December 2012

Over 3000 prisoners will go at large under the law "On Amnesty" in Georgia

The Parliament of Georgia has adopted the law "On Amnesty". After lengthy discussions and debates, it was voted for by 80 MPs. Under the law more than 3000 inmates will leave jails, including those earlier recognized as political prisoners by the supreme legislative body of the country.

The law "On Amnesty" assumes liberation of convicts and shortening of sentences under a number of articles of the Criminal Code of Georgia. In particular, the amnesty will affect women, minors, and those convicted for financial and economic crimes.

The amnesty will also cover the convicted drug users and a number of less serious offenders. The amnesty will also cut probation terms – down to two-three years. Currently, it makes eight-nine years, the "Georgia Online" reports.

However, the amnesty will not apply to those who have committed crimes against human rights and freedoms. The law will come into force from the date of publication, the "News-Georgia" reports.