Reports: Turkmen president pardons nearly 1,500 prisoners
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 19 February 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Reports: Turkmen president pardons nearly 1,500 prisoners, 19 February 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/570cdf37e.html [accessed 4 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
February 19, 2016
State media in Turkmenistan are reporting that 1,485 prisoners have been pardoned by President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov.
Turkmenistan's State Information Agency quoted Berdymukhammedov as saying the amnesty was linked to the Day of the National Flag, which is marked on February 19.
Berdymukhammedov signed the decree on amnesty for "inmates who fully repented in their crimes" at a February 18 cabinet session, according to the reports.
Berdymukhammedov's predecessor, Saparmurat Niyazov, issued similar amnesty decrees once a year, during the holy month of Ramadan.
Berdymukhammedov has issued such decrees several times.
His last clemency, announced in October, pardoned 1,020 inmates on the eve of the Independence Day, on October 27.
Based on reports by Express-k.kz and Interfax
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
