The first group of pardoned convicts was released from prisons in Tajikistan after the Tajik parliament passed the law on amnesty on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the constitution, Eurasia Diary reports citing AKIpress.
1,060 convicts, including 165 women and 60 teenagers, were released from prison under this amnesty law.
Amnesty announced by the Central Asian country's leader will apply to prisoners with disabilities, cancer, jailed World War II veterans, military deserters, convicts older than 55. The persons serving jail terms for economic crimes will be also pardoned if they paid damages.
About 20,000 convicts will likely to be granted amnesty in total.