Armen Sarkissian signs decree on amnesty 

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.