Uzbekistan president pardons 852 people ahead of Independence Day

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan has issued a decree pardoning 852 individuals serving prison sentences, marking a significant act of clemency ahead of the country's 35th Independence Day.

The pardoned individuals have reportedly expressed remorse for their crimes and are committed to rehabilitation. The decree, signed in anticipation of the national holiday, aims to facilitate their reintegration into society. Of the 852 people, 604 will be fully released, while 115 will receive early conditional release. Additionally, the sentences of 52 individuals will be commuted to less severe punishments, and 81 others will have their prison terms reduced.

The group receiving pardons is diverse, including 7 foreign nationals and 63 individuals previously involved with banned organizations. Notably, the pardons also extend to 375 young people, 49 women, and 37 men over the age of 60, reflecting a broad scope in the presidential act.

This recent decree continues a trend of presidential pardons initiated by Mirziyoyev since 2017. Over the past several years, he has signed 31 such decrees, collectively covering 10,567 individuals. Last year alone, 523 convicts were pardoned before Independence Day and another 615 before Constitution Day, highlighting a consistent policy of clemency.