Seventy-two deputies voted in favor of the amnesty plan during the National Assembly session. The plan would have also been accepted with the majority of the votes.
This amnesty is taking place in honor of the 2800th anniversary of the foundation of Erebuni-Yerevan, and in honor of the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the First Republic of Armenia.
As a result of the amnesty, 342 people will be freed from penitentiaries, but more than 6500 people are eligible for amnesty.
Acting Minister of Justice Artak Zeynalyan answered questions from other deputies. Naira Zohrabyan wanted to allow Skype in the jails so that the people whose relatives left the country can speak to their relatives through Skype.
Zeynalyan said that Skype is available in all prisons. Regarding recidivism, Zeynalyan said that if a person committed a crime twice and was imprisoned the third time, it means that the person will not change through being pardoned. Zeynalyan told the deputies who suggested that those who were sentenced to life be pardoned that he cannot pardon those who committed torture, people who betrayed the state, those who committed diversions, or anyone else who committed serious crimes.
Hripsime Jebejyan
