Amnesty becomes effective in Chechnya

On Saturday, the official government publication, The Rossiiskaya Gazeta, carries the State Duma resolution On the Declaration of Amnesty in Connection with the Adoption of the Constitution of the Chechen Republic. Thus, amnesty for participants in illegal armed formations in Chechnya comes into force.

The resolution reads that amnesty "covers persons who have committed deeds posing danger to society in the course of the armed conflict and/or during the antiterrorist operation within the borders of the former Chechen-Ingush Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic /now the constituent federal republics of Russia - Ingushetia and Chechnya/, in the period from December 12, 1993 until the coming into force of the resolution on the declaration of amnesty, who have rejected participation in illegal armed formations or voluntarily surrendered arms and military equipment before 00 hours on September 1, 2003".

In addition, the amnesty is also intended for servicemen who have committed deeds of danger to society in the period from December 12, 1993 until the resolution of amnesty declaration comes into force.

The decision to apply the amnesty act shall be taken individually with respect for every person. The resolution on the declaration of amnesty shall be subject to execution during 6 months since its becoming effective.