DUSHANBE, September 2, 2011, Asia-Plus — As of September 1, an amnesty benefited 2,654 prisoners, Prosecutor-General Sherkhon Salimzoda announced at a news conference in Dushanbe yesterday.
“To-date, 2,317 prisoners, including 146 women, 108 minors, 56 men over 55, 27 foreigners and 24 people with disabilities and people suffering from serious diseases, have been released” Salimzoda said.
According to him, 32 militants who fought government troops in 1997 in Khatlon province, Dushanbe, Hisor, Shahrinav and Tursunzoda as well as armed clash of 1998 in Sughd province were among prisoners freed under the amnesty.
“40 members of political parties, religious associations and groups involved in organization of mutinies will be released on September 2,” the prosecutor-general noted.
Besides, Yoribek Ibrohimov (Sheikh Yoribek), Ismatullo Habibulloyev (Ismati Auli), Yoqub Salimov, Sadriddin Toshev, Mahmadruzi Iskandarov and Jamshed Siyayev (bead-selling business) have their prison terms cut by two years under the 2011 amnesty, Salimzoda added.
The 2011 amnesty is timed to coincide with the country”s celebrations to mark 20 years of independence on September 9 and it mainly benefits men over 55, those prisoners suffering from cancer or tuberculosis, and women.
The amnesty also applies on members of political parties, public associations and illegal religious organizations who were sentenced to five years in prison as well as persons who were sentenced to more than five years in prison and have served three-quarters of their terms.
The amnesty also applies on militants who fought government troops in 1997 in Khatlon province, Dushanbe, Hisor, Shahrinav and Tursunzoda as well as armed clash of 1998 in Sughd province if they have served half their sentences.
The amnesty excludes those serving sentences for serious crimes such as terrorism and extremism, killing two and more people, recidivists or those who committed crimes in prison.
In all, more than 15,000 people are expected to fall under the 2011 amnesty. 4,000 prison inmates are expected to be released, while others may have their prison terms cut.
This is the 13th amnesty the government has approved.
