Amnesty declared in Tajikistan

Azerbaijan, Baku, Nov. 25 / Trend /

Tajikistan has declared the amnesty on the occasion of the country's 20th independence anniversary and released more than 4,300 prisoners, including 196 women and 153 minors, a source at Tajikistan's Justice Ministry told Asia-plus reported on Friday.

In addition, imprisonment terms for 5,000 prisoners have been cut.

"The amnesty has also benefited more than 5,000 people who were under examination or trial, but not yet convicted," the source added.

The amnesty act were applied on men aged over 55, sick prisoners suffering from cancer or tuberculosis, and women. The amnesty was also applied to members of political parties, public associations and illegal religious organizations who were sentenced to five years in prison as well as persons who were sentenced to more than five years in prison and have served three-quarters of their terms.

The amnesty covered military who fought within government troops in Khatlon province, Dushanbe , Hisor, Shahrinav and Tursunzoda in 1997, as well as armed clashes of 1998 in Sughd province, and have served half their sentences.

Edited by V.Zhavoronkova