TBILISI, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Georgian Interior Minister Irakli Garibashvili said Sunday law enforcement agencies across the country have been fully mobilized for the newly-signed amnesty law which would lead to the release of thousands of prisoners.
The new law is not likely to result in an upsurge in crimes and his ministry would not allow any deterioration in this regard, said Garibashvili, who also warned that re-offenders would face maximum penalty as in accordance with Georgian law.
The Georgian authorities released 190 inmates who were recognized as political prisoners under the new amnesty law, which would also allow the release of 3,000 more after courts review their cases.
Georgia's parliamentary speaker Davit Usupashvili signed the amnesty bill into law on Saturday, the first time in the Georgian history that the country's second highest ranking state functionary has enacted a legislation instead of the president.
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili vetoed the amnesty bill after it was passed in the 150-seat parliament. However, Georgian lawmakers overruled the presidential veto with a ballot of 91-24 late in December.
Feedback
RSS
