Tajik Parliament Approves Amnesty For 4,000 Inmates

Tajikistan's Majlisi Namoyandagon, the lower house of parliament, today approved an amnesty for some 4,000 prisoners, timed to coincide with the country's celebrations to mark 20 years of independence on September 9.

The amnesty mainly benefits men over 55, those prisoners suffering from cancer or tuberculosis, and women.

People convicted for attempting to overthrow the government, engaging in terrorism, spying, murder, or other serious crimes are not eligible for the early release.

This will be the 13th amnesty the government has approved.

compiled from agency reports