YEREVAN. – An amnesty proposal was discussed during the closed session of the standing committee on legal affairs on Tuesday, Justice Minister Hrayr Tovmasyan said.

He noted that the proposal had been included in the agenda of the National Assembly, adding that the text is ready.

The amnesty suggests the immediate release of the part of prisoners, while the others will have their term shortened. There are articles which are not falling under the amnesty, he told reporters on Tuesday.

As for the convicted activist Tigran Arakelyan, the Minister said his article is not subject to restrictions.

“Those convicted for the first time, the criminals under 18, pregnant women and those with children under the age of three years will be released under an amnesty,” he said.

Justice Minister recalled that 1,200 convicts were released under an amnesty in 2011. He stressed that there are countries where amnesty is declared to reduce prison overcrowding.

“To date Armenian prisons’ overcrowding  is only 250 prisoners. However, as soon as Armavir penitentiary is put into operation the problem will be solved. Hence, this is not the reason for declaring an amnesty. The appropriateness of declaring an amnesty is determined by the president and the parliament,” he concluded.