Abramyan: amnesty in Armenia will last till September 21

Journalists were told by Ovik Abramyan, Speaker of the Parliament, that the Armenian National Assembly would consider the amnesty issue at its extraordinary session on May 25. According to his story, this is the ninth amnesty campaign in the history of independent Armenia; and it will be completed before the 20th anniversary of Independence - on September 21.

Touching on the initiative of the President to declare amnesty, Ovik Abramyan said that he welcomed this decision. "This is a correct and timely decision that will relax the political situation in the country," said the Speaker.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on May 20 President Serzh Sargsyan addressed the National Assembly with a proposal of amnesty in connection with the 20th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Armenia.

On the same day, the Standing Commission on State and Legal Affairs considered the President's proposal and endorsed it. According to Armenian media, it is assumed that the amnesty will release around 400 persons, while 2000 inmates more will have their terms shortened.

Speaking at the rally on April 28, Levon Ter-Petrosyan, the former President and the leader of the oppositional Armenian National Congress (ANC), said that the government intends to resolve the issue of political prisoners before May 28, having dated it to the celebration of the Republic Day.