Caravanserai

Mirziyoyev pardons 2,700 convicts

Caravanserai

TASHKENT -- Uzbekistani President Shavkat Mirziyoyev Thursday (December 7) pardoned 2,700 convicts, according to state media, reported Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL).

The pardoned convicts include 956 who will be released from prisons. The remainder were not in prison for a number of reasons, such as serving suspended sentences.

Mirziyoyev's decree was described as the first mass pardon in Uzbekistan's history. It coincided with the 25th anniversary of the adoption of Uzbekistan's constitution December 8, 1992, months after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

A number of jailed journalists, politicians and political prisoners have gone free since Mirziyoyev took office in September 2016.

"Some positive steps" have occurred during Mirziyoyev's first year in office, said Human Rights Watch in October.

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