Uzbek Senate Approves Amnesty Proposed By President

Uzbek President Islam Karimov

TASHKENT -- The Uzbek Senate has adopted a resolution on amnesty that is expected to go into effect on December 6.

President Islam Karimov put forward the proposal, which applies to individuals convicted for minor crimes who do not pose any threat to society, foreign nationals, women, and convicts under 18 years of age or older than 60.

Those who receive amnesty will either be freed or their prison terms will be reduced.

It is not clear how many convicts will be covered.

Uzbek Senator Svetlana Artykova said the amnesty is connected with the 20th anniversary of the country's constitution.

She said that prisoners will be amnestied over the next three months.

The constitution of Uzbekistan was adopted on December 8, 1992.

With reporting by Interfax