Since May 27, the process of prisoners’ release under an amnesty has started on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Republic of Armenia.

As of June 5, 400 convicted persons were released from prisons; 7 had their sentence cut: 43 prisoners were released from Nubarashen; 91 from Erebuni, 30-Vardashen, 24 released and 3 had their sentence cut at Hospital for Convicted People , 42 released from Artik, 14 - Vanadzor, 48- Sevan, 19- Hrazdan, 1 released and 3 had their sentence cut at Abovian, 11 released from Goris and 77 from Kosh.

The process is still under way.

On May 27, editor-in-chief of Haykakan Zhamanak paper Nikol Pashinyan and former member of the Armenian parliament Sasun Mikaelyan, convicted in March 1, 2008 case were released.

President Sargsyan offered the National Assembly to declare amnesty on occasion of the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s independence, the proposal being based on article 81.1.1 of the RA Constitution and article 90 of the law on National Assembly regulations. With a vote 91-0, the Armenian parliament approved Thursday, May 26, President Serzh Sargsyan’s proposal for amnesty for 396 people to be released and 379 to have their sentence cut.