Baku: President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has proposed an initiative to declare an amnesty in celebration of the Year of Constitution and Sovereignty. This move marks a significant moment for the nation, as it reaffirms the foundation laid by the National Leader, Heydar Aliyev, whose leadership was pivotal in establishing an independent Azerbaijani state and the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the amnesty proposal is a reflection of President Aliyev’s leadership and the achievements of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, including the decisive victory in the Patriotic War and the subsequent anti-terror operations. These military successes have restored and reinforced the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The draft amnesty act envisions pardoning individuals involved in defending Azerbaijan’s sovereignty, including participants in the Patriotic War and the recent anti-terror operations. It also covers close relatives of those who were killed or went missing, persons disabled due to military provocations, women, individuals over 60, minors at the time of their crimes, and others.

Moreover, the proposal includes provisions for reducing sentences for individuals convicted of minor or negligent crimes that do not pose significant public danger.

The amnesty, if approved by the Milli Majlis, is anticipated to be the largest in the history of Azerbaijan, potentially benefiting over 20,000 individuals. This includes the release of over 5,000 prisoners, sentence reductions for more than 3,000 inmates, the exemption of over 7,000 from liberty restrictions, nearly 4,000 from non-custodial sentences, and over 1,000 from criminal liability.