Six crime bosses released from prisons in Georgia

On the basis of the law “On Amnesty”, six “thieves in law” were released from prisons in Georgia. They must leave the country within 24 hours because according to the legislation in force, they have no right to stay in its territory.

Earlier, the “Caucasian Knot” reported that the law “On Amnesty” came into effect on January, 13, being signed by Speaker of the Parliament David Usupashvili without the incumbent President of the country Mikhail Saakashvili’s approval. It touched upon 17 thousand criminal cases.

Release of six “thieves in law” and reduction of custody terms to twenty more crime bosses was announced on the TV today by Minister of Execution of punishment Grigol Giorgadze. According to him, the convicts had been serving penalty for a long time and after their cases fell under the law “On Amnesty” they were offered a choice: either to prolong their custody terms or leave the country, RIA “Novosti” reports.

The names of the criminal bosses released have not yet been disclosed.

According to clause “Creation or heading a paramilitary group or participation in it (clause 223 of the Criminal Code of Georgia), persons acknowledged “thieves in law” cannot officially reside in the territory of Georgia.

Nana Kakabadze, Head of NGO “Ex-political prisoners for human rights”, reported the intention to appeal to the Parliament demanding to exempt this clause from the Criminal Code. She thinks that the clause violates the human right of dedication to one or another point of views, let it even be a “thievish” ideology, “Interfax” reports.