Russia MPs back amnesty for prisoners
The Russian parliament Duma approves an amnesty for prisoners, including the jailed Pussy Riot and Greenpeace activists.
The amnesty is dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Russian Constitution. It will come into force immediately after it gets officially published. This is expected to happen on Thursday.
The Duma decided not to amnesty pedophiles and those who train in terrorist camps and participated in terrorist activities as well as those who abused power and used violence (or threatened to do it).
People convicted for mass riots and charged with participation in them will also be amnestied.
The crew of Arctic Sunrise, the band Pussy Riot and some people arrested in the Bolotnaya Square protests case will be amnestied, BBC reports.
About 25 thousand people are going to be released.
Photo: telegrafist.org
