MOSCOW. Feb 3 (Interfax-AVN) - The question of announcing an amnesty in connection with the 60th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany has almost been decided on, head of the State Duma's Committee on Legislation Pavel Krashennikov told Interfax on Thursday.
"We can say that the question has been resolved 99%. A special Duma commission should present the text of the amnesty in the near future," Krashennikov said.
He said it had been decided at a Duma session, with the participation of heads of several related committees, that the text would be developed by early March.
"It is planned that the amnesty will deal with convicts who are veterans of World War II and armed conflicts in 'flashpoints.' According to our evaluation, the number of such conflicts involves approximately 2,500 people," Krashennikov said.
He said it was possible that the coming amnesty may affect other categories of prisoners. He added, however, that "the amnesty will not concern people who committed severe crimes or those who committed crimes repeatedly."