DUSHANBE, September 13, Asia-Plus -- In Dushanbe, 191 prisoners have been granted amnesty since the amnesty law adopted on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of Tajikistan’s Independence took effect.

The Dushanbe prosecutor Habibullo Vohidov has said the amnestied include 61 prisoners released by decisions of the preliminary investigation bodies and 130 prisoners released by decisions of courts.

According to information from the Asia-Plus’ correspondents in provinces, 22 prisoners in Gorno Badakhshan and 560 prisoners in the northern province of Sughd have been released so far under the mentioned amnesty law.  Information about amnesty of prisoners in Khatlon has not yet been received.

According to information from the Ministry of Justice, some 3,000 of almost 12 prisoners serving their sentences in jails in Tajikistan are planned to be granted amnesty this year.  The amnesty should conclude within six months since the amnesty law took effect.              

The amnesty declared for the 15th anniversary applies to elderly, young and sick prisoners who are serving sentences for minor crimes.  The amnesty does not apply to persons serving their sentences for grave and especially grave crimes, as well as for killing two and more people, recidivists and those who committed crimes in prisons.