Uzbek Senate Adopts Decree On Amnesty

The upper house of the Uzbek parliament has adopted a prisoner amnesty.

The chairwoman of the parliamentary committee for legislation and judicial issues, Svetlana Artykova, said the amnesty is proof of the ongoing judicial reforms in Uzbekistan.

The amnesty will apply to women, convicts younger than 18 and older than 60, and foreign citizens.

First-time offenders convicted for activities in banned groups and who are noted for good behavior will also be amnestied. Inmates convicted of serious crimes and those serving life terms will not be affected.

The resolution must now be signed by President Islam Karimov. Last year's amnesty, which marked the 20th anniversary of Uzbekistan's Constitution, was applied to 68,809 people.

Based on reporting by fergana.ru and Interfax