Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov has signed an amnesty decree for 859 prisoners.
Turkmen media reports said on February 14 that the clemency was granted "in accordance with the noble tradition of our nation, based upon teachings of our great ancestors, and due to State Flag Day observed on February 19."
No other information on the pardoned inmates was given.
Before Berdymukhammedov's presidency, his predecessor, Saparmurat Niyazov, issued similar amnesty decrees once a year, in the holy month of Ramadan.
Berdymukhammedov has issued such decrees several times a year, usually on the eve of state holidays.
Berdymukhammedov's last clemency, announced two months ago, pardoned 630 inmates on the eve of the Day of Neutrality, marked in Turkmenistan on December 12.
Turkmen media reports said on February 14 that the clemency was granted "in accordance with the noble tradition of our nation, based upon teachings of our great ancestors, and due to State Flag Day observed on February 19."
No other information on the pardoned inmates was given.
Before Berdymukhammedov's presidency, his predecessor, Saparmurat Niyazov, issued similar amnesty decrees once a year, in the holy month of Ramadan.
Berdymukhammedov has issued such decrees several times a year, usually on the eve of state holidays.
Berdymukhammedov's last clemency, announced two months ago, pardoned 630 inmates on the eve of the Day of Neutrality, marked in Turkmenistan on December 12.
