DUSHANBE, September 15, 2011, Asia-Plus -- To-date, 3,600 prison inmates, including 180 women and 102 minors, have been released under the 2011 amnesty, the source at the Main Punishment Execution Department of the Ministry of Justice said.

“3,200 people have been released from penal colonies and 400 others have been released from pretrial detention facilities,” he said, noting that the amnesty will last until November 20.     

The 2011 amnesty is timed to coincide with the country''s celebrations to mark 20 years of independence on September 9 and it mainly benefits men over 55, those prisoners suffering from cancer or tuberculosis, and women.

The amnesty also applies on members of political parties, public associations and illegal religious organizations who were sentenced to five years in prison as well as persons who were sentenced to more than five years in prison and have served three-quarters of their terms.

The amnesty also applies on militants who fought government troops in 1997 in Khatlon province, Dushanbe, Hisor, Shahrinav and Tursunzoda as well as armed clash of 1998 in Sughd province if they have served half their sentences.

The amnesty excludes those serving sentences for serious crimes such as terrorism and extremism, killing two and more people, recidivists or those who committed crimes in prison.

In all, more than 15,000 people are expected to fall under the 2011 amnesty.  4,000 prison inmates are expected to be released, while others may have their prison terms cut.

This is the 13th amnesty the government has approved.