276 people convicted in Turkmenistan for crimes committed, but regretting their actions and sincerely repenting of them, were pardoned by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the news program «Watan» of Turkmen television reported.

The corresponding Decree was signed today at an expanded meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers with the participation of the heads of diplomatic missions abroad, «guided by the principles of mercy and humanism», «in order to further strengthen the unity and cohesion of Turkmen society and each family, as well as on the occasion of the International Day of Neutrality», celebrated annually on December 12.

The pardoned were released from further serving the main sentence in the form of imprisonment.

Addressing the Chairman of the Commission for the Preparation of Proposals on Citizenship and Pardons under the President of Turkmenistan Begench Gundogdyev, the head of state instructed him, together with the heads of law enforcement agencies, to take the necessary measures so that all those released from prisons would return to their families in the near future.

The head of state Serdar Berdimuhamedov wished the pardoned citizens to work conscientiously, serve the Motherland honestly, and enjoy the fruits of their labor.