The Georgian Parliament approved the Amnesty Bill, proposed by the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party,  with the first reading with 82 votes pro on Friday.

One part of the opposition did not attend the sitting since they continued boycotting legislative activities. The opposition Girchi party members and MP Teona Akubardia asked questions to the bill’s initiator.

The Amnesty Bill insures the risks of recidivism; takes into account the interests of the victim; complies with international legal standards; is in line with the priorities of the criminal justice policy; and creates favorable conditions for resocialization.

The amnesty envisages the immediate release of 10% of prisoners and others in certain forms, such as reducing prison terms by 1/2, 1/4, or 1/6. The amnesty will comprise approximately 300 articles. It aims to reduce the number of prisoners by 1/3.

The bill will not refer to prisoners convicted for murder, drug dealers, persons charged with sexual assaults, burglaries, terrorism, corruption and other grave category crimes.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced the Amnesty Bill in his annual report delivered in parliament on June 28. The ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party introduced the Amnesty Bill on July 11. The bill will finally be adopted in the fall session.