DUSHANBE, March 6, 2013, Asia-Plus  -- On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the formation of Tajikistan’s National Army, President Emomali Rahmon has granted pardon to 50 convicted servicemen, an official source at the Penitentiary System, Minister of Justice (MoJ) said.

According to him, 50 servicemen have been released and jail terms of 20 others have been partially reduced.

“The majority of them have got jail terms for living military unit without permission, “dedovshchina” (brutal hazing of new recruits by older soldiers) and other inconsiderable military crimes,” the source said.

The pardon has not applied to servicemen who are serving their jail terms for serious crimes such as drug trafficking or murder, the source added.

Under Article 69 of Tajikistan’s Constitution, the President shall decide questions of the pardon of convicted persons.