Thursday, November 1 2018 11:51

ArmInfo.The National Assembly of Armenia on its extraordinary session unanimously with 75 votes voted for the draft law on granting amnesty on criminal cases  on the occasion of 2800th anniversary of Erebuni-Yerevan foundation  and 100th anniversary of the announcement of independence of the  First Armenian Republic. 

As the Acting Minister of Justice Artak Zeynalyan stated earlier, the   document submitted by the government of the country is of a   humanistic nature and is not intended to lessen the load the   country's penitentiaries.  The Acting Minister continued that   currently there are 2888 prisoners in the country's penitentiaries,   with the total capacity of 5346 places. In the Nubarashen  penitentiary, 644 people serve their term while there are 780 places   in this institution, in Vardashen penitentiary has 333 seats, 150   people are serving a criminal sentence there. "Thus, the proposal on   amnesty does not pursue the goal of relieving the country's   penitentiaries," Artak Zeynalyan stressed.

He informed that the bill provides for an amnesty for persons   suspected, accused or committed a crime until 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 old. Also the amnesty will relate to people 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, if they compensate for the  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 enjoy the   amnesty, which is 15% of all prisoners.  The law which should be   adopted in the second reading within 24 hours after the first reading   will come into force on the 10th day since publication. 

Thus, members of Sasna Tsrer Group, as well as those convicted for  organizing mass protest actions in April 2015 will be granted  amnesty. 

Zeynalyan called the decision a humanistic step, which calls on  reconciliation and solidarity.