President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimukhamedov pardoned 1,180 convicted persons in honor of the 32nd anniversary of the independence of the republic. He signed the corresponding decree at an extended government meeting, the Turkmenistan Today news agency reports.
The President instructed the Secretary of the State Security Council, Minister of Defense of Turkmenistan Begench Gundogdyev, together with the heads of law enforcement agencies, to ensure that the pardoned citizens are soon released from prison and returned to their families.
In addition, Berdimukhamedov instructed local government officials to provide those pardoned with work.
Turkmenistan regularly holds pardon actions for prisoners. The president signs similar decrees on the eve of the Night of al-Qadr, revered in Islam, and the Days of Neutrality and Independence. Over 20,000 convicts have been released in the republic in past 5 years.
Independence Day in Turkmenistan is celebrated on September 27.
Source: Central Asian News Services