Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Turkmenistan

Turkmen Leader To Free 9,000 Prisoners

23 October 2004 -- Turkmenistan is set to free 9,000 prisoners under an amnesty that President Saparmurat Niyazov grants annually ahead of the day marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

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October 23, 2004

The prisoners will be released by the Eid al-Fitr holiday, which this year falls on 9 November.

Niyazov said the release will include 150 foreign nationals, including from Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Armenia, and Moldova.

Turkmenistan's president-for-life made the announcement today at the opening of the annual three-day session of the People's Council, the country's highest legislative body.

He also said salaries and pensions will be increased by 50 percent beginning on 1 January 2005. Niyazov added that he will introduce a water law, slash taxes, and introduce long-term land leasing.

(AFP/AP)

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