Pakistani citizen pardoned by Azerbaijani president expresses gratitude

Pakistani national Shah Nasrat Yar Ma released from prison in Azerbaijan, has expressed his gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for granting him a pardon.

Speaking to reporters, he said he had been convicted on drug-related charges and sentenced to nine years and six months in prison, Caliber.Az reports via local media. 

“I was sentenced to 9 years and 6 months in prison, of which I served 6 years and 1 month of the sentence. I had 3 years and 5 months left before the end of my sentence. I am thankful to President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan for signing the pardon order,” the Pakistani national said.

His release comes under the presidential decree titled "On the pardon of a number of convicted people," issued by President Aliyev on May 26.

The presidential pardon order has been applied to over 200 individuals. As part of the decree, 175 inmates have been released from serving the remainder of their prison sentences. Additionally, the remaining prison terms for 25 individuals have been reduced by half. One person with a suspended prison sentence and two individuals whose sentence execution had been postponed have also been released from their sentences.

By Sabina Mammadli