Putin tables amnesty draft for parliament consideration

Russian President Vladimir Putin submitted a bill on amnesty to mark the 20th anniversary of the Russian Constitution, the Kremlin said Monday. According to the bill, amnesty will be applied to persons who have committed crimes before they have turned 16, women with minor children and those older than 55, men over 60, disabled people, servicemen and policemen, persons who have participated in military operations, among others. Only those sentenced to prison terms less than 5 years will be pardoned, as well as those sentenced to the suspended terms. Currently 12 projects of the amnesty have been submitted to the Duma consideration, including Putin's version. The president's version of the amnesty was drafted by Mikhaiil Fedotov, head of the human rights council. Fedotov's draft document suggested releasing of up to 100,000 inmates. Russia will celebrate the Constitution Day on Dec. 12. In accordance with the Article 103 of the constitution, the State Duma, or lower house of the parliament, has the exclusive right to declare amnesty.