Tajikistan To Pardon 10,000 Prisoners

By RFE/RL's Tajik Service

October 20, 2014

Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon has submitted to the parliament a draft law on amnesty granting freedom for some 10,000 prisoners.

The office of the president said on October 20 the bill would release women, minors, the disabled, war veterans, and foreign citizens, as well as those who have served at least three-quarters of their jail terms.

However, it does not grant amnesty to those convicted of serious crimes, including murder, treason, or terrorism.

A previous amnesty law in 2011 granted freedom to 4,300 prisoners, reduced jail sentences for another 5,000 inmates, and dropped the charges against 5,000 accused.

With reporting by AFP and TASS