KIEV, September 16 (RIA Novosti) – The parliament of Ukraine passed Tuesday a bill to declare amnesty for eastern Ukraine independence supporters who committed administrative or criminal offenses in their regions starting from February 22, Ukrainian lawmaker Oleh Tyahnibok said in his official Twitter.
The initiative was approved by 277 lawmakers with the required minimum of 226 votes. It will enter force once signed by the president and published by the official media.
The discussions were held in a closed regime. It is currently unknown whether the initial bill was amended during hearings.
The bill, submitted to the parliament by President Petro Poroshenko, envisages that militia members and their supporters “are freed from criminal responsibility on the condition they do not hold anyone hostage, laid down their weapons and explosives, does not occupy administrative or other buildings or block state structures and organizations.”
Those who agree to the terms, will be freed from criminal responsibility or fines.
However, the bill does not apply to people suspected of grave crimes and those whom the Kiev government accused of involvement in the MH17 plane crash in eastern Ukraine or posed hindrances to the investigation.
