Parliament has started discussions on the draft Law "On Amnesty"

ArmInfo.The National Assembly of Armenia, at an extraordinary meeting on October 31, started discussions on the draft law "On declaring an amnesty in  criminal cases in connection with the 2800th anniversary of  Erebuni-Yerevan foundation and the 100th anniversary of the  independence of the First Republic of Armenia".

According to the Acting Minister of Justice Artak Zeynalyan, 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,  whith 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.