Georgia's new president pardons over 600 prisoners on occasion of Epiphany

Georgia's new president, Mikheil Kavelashvili, has granted his first pardons, releasing 613 individuals from serving their sentences.

"President of Georgia Mikheil Kavelashvili, in connection with the holiday of Epiphany, pardoned 613 individuals. The use of these exclusive powers granted to the president by the constitution is based on the principles of humanitarianism and national interests," Kavelashvili said in a statement on his Facebook account, according to Caliber.Az.

The pardoned individuals "have returned to their families and will once again be full members of society."

The inauguration of Georgia's sixth president, Mikheil Kavelashvili, took place in the Georgian Parliament on December 29. He was elected for a five-year term on December 14 by the Electoral College. These were the first indirect presidential elections in Georgia. Granting pardons is one of the few prerogatives of the president of Georgia according to the constitution.

By Khagan Isayev