Tajikistan to amnesty over 20,000 people to mark 25th anniversary of Constitution
DUSHANBE. Oct 24 (Interfax) - Deputies of the lower house of the Tajik parliament have approved a draft law of the Republic of Tajikistan On Amnesty, the Tajik parliament press service said.
The bill was presented to the deputies by Tajik President Emomali Rahmon to mark the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the republic's Constitution a week ago.
The law exempts from criminal liability people whose criminal cases are being considered by interrogation bodies, preliminary investigation bodies or courts, and it also exempts them from punishment given to them under court rulings, the press service said.
"According to tentative information, the law On Amnesty applies to over 20,000 suspects, accused persons, defendants and convicts. Over 3,000 of these people will be released from prison and over 5,000 will be exempted from their punishments, which do not involve imprisonment. Most people will have their prison terms reduced," the Tajik presidential press service said.