959 released under law on amnesty on occasion of 75th anniversary of WW II Victory Day, 10th anniversary of April revolution

AKIPRESS.COM - The law on amnesty on occasion of the 75th anniversary of WW II Victory Day and the 10th anniversary of the April 2010 revolution was applied to 959 convicts, the Coalition Against Tortures reported with reference to the State Penitentiary Service.
The law entered into force more than 6 months ago.
According to the State Penitentiary Service, amnesty was applied to 881 convicts, whose prison terms were shortened; 13 convicts, who escaped from prison but surrendered voluntarily; 65 people, who were relieved of punishment.
On May 8, after shortening of unserved prison terms, 137 applications for release on parole were submitted to courts in accordance with the law on amnesty. 56 convicts were released, the Coalition against Tortures said.
"During adoption of this law, the Parliament said amnesty will be applied to more than 3,000 convicts. The State Penitentiary Service indicated the same number in justification note to the bill. None of goals of the amnesty was achieved eventually. The costs for development of the bill and its implementation are higher than the state could save if broader and more effective amnesty would have been carried out," the Coalition said.