Georgia’s President pardons 78 inmates for Easter

More than 70 people serving sentences in Georgia’s prisons have been pardoned by President Giorgi Margvelashvili this Easter. 

At a special press conference today, head of the Presidential Pardon Commission Zviad Koridze said 57 out of the 78 pardoned inmates will walk free this afternoon.

The remaining 21 convicts have had their sentences reduced, including one prisoner, who was sentenced for premeditated murder, had his sentence halved.

Koridze noted the pardoned inmates were convicted for drug related crimes, transport and security violations, fraud, theft attempts, physical assault and illegal movement at Georgia’s borders.

He said inmates who were convicted of serious crimes were not eligible to be pardoned.

The Commission has reviewed 460 cases so far this year.

Meanwhile, last year President Margvelashvili pardoned 95 prisoners in recognition of Easter celebrations.