MOSCOW. March 17 (Interfax) - In three months criminal liability has been lifted from approximately 16,000 Russian citizens under the amnesty, dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Russian Constitution, Russian Federal Penitentiary Service press office said in a statement obtained by Interfax on Monday.
"As of now, about 16,000 people were released from the penal system facilities under the amnesty declared due to the 20th anniversary of the Russian Constitution," the document said.
In particular, 404 persons sentenced to prison terms and kept in correctional colonies and 68 individuals kept in correctional colonies have been released, the press office said.
"A total of 338 persons, regarding whom bodies of inquiry and preliminary investigation and courts stopped proceedings on criminal cases, have been released from pre-trial detention facilities. And 39 individuals have been released from liability," the statement said.
At the same tine, criminal proceedings have been ceased regarding over 15,000 people registered in penal inspections.
Russia's State Duma declared the amnesty due to the 20th anniversary of the Russian Constitution on December 18, 2013.