ArmInfo.Armenian President Armen Sarkissian signed laws on introducing amendments and additions to the Criminal Procedure Code, as well as declaring an amnesty on criminal cases, in connection with the 2800th anniversary of Yerevan and the 100th anniversary of the first Republic of Armenia. This was reported to ArmInfo in the press service of the Armenian President.
Earlier, at an extraordinary meeting the National Assembly of Armenia unanimously adopted a draft law on "Granting an amnesty in criminal cases on the occasion of the 2800th anniversary of Erebuni-Yerevan foundation and the 100th anniversary of the independence of the First Republic of Armenia" by 75 votes in favor.
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.