Georgian president issues pardon, nine women released from prison

Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has issued a pardon decree on the occasion of Annunciation holiday, releasing nine female prisoners.

All the pardoned women have one or more minor children, and they did not commit violent crimes.

All the nine prisoners will leave the penitentiary facility today.

Orthodox churches around Georgia are celebrating the holy day of Annunciation today.

The Annunciation is a Christian celebration marking the announcement by the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that she would conceive and be the mother of Jesus Christ. 

The Annunciation is one of the most important days in the Christian religious calendar.