MOSCOW. Dec 12 (Interfax-AVN) - Over 14,000 Syrians who evaded conscription and soldiers who deserted have received amnesty documents, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Tsarikov said on Tuesday.
"Over 14,000 people have now received documents on amnesty, which applies to people who evaded conscription or deserted from military service, under the Syrian president's Decree No. 18 of October 9, 2018," Tsarikov said at a meeting of the Russian-Syrian taskforce on the return of refugees on Tuesday.
The Russian Foreign Ministry considers it important to continue conducting prisoner and hostage swaps between Damascus and the Syrian opposition through the relevant working group of the Astana process, he said.
"The first such swap (10 for 10) took place on November 24. The second is expected to take place before the end of this year. Fifty people on each side will be exchanged. This will help increase the level of trust between the Syrian parties, promoting the political settlement and normalizing the situation on the ground, among other things," Tsarikov said.