Aleksandr Lukashenko issues pardon Decree ahead of New Year

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has signed a Decree pardoning 22 individuals ahead of the New Year.

Of those pardoned, 20 had been convicted of extremist crimes. The group comprises 15 women and 7 men; 11 of them have minor children.

All had petitioned the head of state for a pardon, having admitted their guilt and expressed remorse.

The decision to grant the pardon was prompted by humanitarian considerations and the interests of the convicts’ families, while also weighing the positive character references of the individuals.