President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed a decree pardoning 615 prisoners who have demonstrated sincere repentance and taken firm steps toward reform, the presidential press service announced on Monday.

The amnesty, signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, coincides with the 33rd anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan on December 8, 1992, and covers a total of 615 convicts. Under the decree, 220 individuals have been fully released from serving their sentences, 123 have been granted early conditional release, 97 have had their punishments replaced with lighter sentences, and 175 have received reductions in their prison terms.

Among those pardoned are 9 citizens of foreign countries, 29 women, 23 men over the age of 60, 264 people under 30, and two minors. The list also includes nine individuals who had previously participated in the activities of banned organizations.

State agencies and local authorities have been instructed to assist the released citizens in returning to their families, finding employment, and adopting healthy lifestyles.

Large-scale prisoner pardons have become a regular practice in Uzbekistan on major national holidays since President Mirziyoyev came to power in 2016. Similar amnesties were issued on Constitution Day in previous years as part of broader criminal justice and human-rights reforms. (ILKHA)