ArmInfo. At an extraordinary meeting on October 31, the National Assembly of Armenia unanimously adopted a draft law on "Announcement of Amnesty in Criminal Cases on the 2800th Anniversary of the Establishment of Erebuni-Yerevan and the 100th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Independence of the First Republic of Armenia" at the first reading unanimously.
Earlier today, the Acting Minister of Justice of Armenia Artak Zeynalyan informed that the bill provides for an amnesty for persons suspected, accused or committed a crime before October 1, 2018 inclusive. Amnesty will be extended to persons sentenced for a term of not more than four years and not more than six years. The amnesty will also be extended to persons with disabilities of the first or second group, pregnant women, people with three or more minor children, people with children under three years old, people over 60 years of age. Also under the amnesty will fall under the person under 18 years old who committed crimes and who have not previously been brought to criminal responsibility, as well as veterans of the Great Patriotic War, the Afghan campaign, participants of the defense of the borders of Armenia and Karabakh. The spouse, children, or parents of military personnel who took part or died while defending the borders of Armenia and Karabakh are subject to early release. Persons who caused damage may also be released, subject to compensation for such damage.
Persons who committed premeditated murder or crimes with aggravating consequences, as well as life- sentenced persons are not entitled to an amnesty. In addition, the amnesty of persons convicted of torture, terrorism, sabotage, unlawful enrichment, crimes committed against journalists, sexual violence, released but re-committed intentional crimes are not subject to amnesty. At the same time, the amnesty will take into account the views of the victims and their successors. In total, as noted by Artak Zeynalyan, 270 people will fall under the amnesty, which is 15% of all prisoners. The law, which must be passed in the second reading within 24 hours, will come into force on the 10th day after publication.