Georgian President pardons 407 prisoners

On the occasion of the New Year celebrations, Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili has pardoned 407 prisoners, Trend reports.

399 prisoners have been granted full pardons, 58 convicts` sentences have been halved, the sentences of six have been reduced to a fixed term and four convicts` have had their conditional sentences revoked. Among those pardoned are 16 women and one minor.

"The Department of Corrections is ready to take all necessary measures so that those pardoned will have all been released immediately to meet the new year with their families," the head of the ministry for corrective punishment, probation and legal aid said.