21:59, 7 May 2021

Eight convicts pardoned in Georgia

On the occasion of Saint George's Day, Georgian President, Salome Zurabishvili, has pardoned eight convicts – three prisoners were completely released from serving their sentences; and five others had their terms halved.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Georgia often pardons convicts on the occasion of Orthodox holidays. Thus, on January 6, 2020, on the occasion of the Orthodox Christmas, the President of Georgia pardoned five convicts. By doing this, Ms President interrupted the moratorium on pardoning, introduced after Ramaz Devadze, who had been sentenced to 15 years in prison for killing a policeman, was among those pardoned by the president on August 28, 2019.

The "Giorgoba" is the day of Saint George; it is customary to celebrate it in Georgia twice a year – on May 6 and November 23. On May 6, Georgian Orthodox Christians use to commemorate the saint's birthday; and November 23 is the day when he was tortured on a wheel. It is believed that the name of the country is associated with Saint George.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on May 7, 2021 at 07:43 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.