On May 20, RA President Serzh Sargsyan applied to RA National Assembly for the suggestion to declare an amnesty on the 20th anniversary of RA independence. On May 25, the National Assembly discussed RA president’s suggestion, and on May 26, RA National Assembly President Hovik Abrahamyan signed the decision made by RA Parliament “To declare an amnesty on the 20th anniversary of RA independence” with the following votes: 91 for, 1 abstain and 0 against. This decision refers to those who had committed a crime by May 1, 2011. NA former deputy Sasun Mikaelyan and the general editor of “Haykakan Jamanak” Daily Nikol Pashinyan, who were sentenced because of the events of March 1, 2008, were released on May 27 due to the declared amnesty on the 20th anniversary of RA independence. On May 28, at 00:30 o’clock, 267 prisoners were released from RA Ministry of Justice penitentiaries. Generally nearly 400 prisoners will be set free. USA Embassy welcomed the amnesty suggested by RA President S. Sargsyan and declared by RA National Assembly. The USA Embassy also welcomed the fact that those people who were sentenced because of the events of March 1, 2008, were also set free. “The USA believes that supremacy of law and democratic institutions have fundamental importance for political and economical development and security of Armenia. We go on being faithful to our recognizance to support the Armenian government for the reinforcement of proper legal procedures, rallies and freedom of speech and in the steps of support the open, viable and prosperous society”, so is mentioned in the message of the USA Embassy.

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