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Syrian President Signs Decree on General Amnesty

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Syrian President Bashar Assad has signed a decree on general amnesty in the country for crimes committed before 2 May, the leader's office said on Sunday.
Sputnik

The amnesty applies to convicts sentenced for bribery, falsification of official documents, drug trafficking, as well as juvenile offenders.

The decree also implies mitigation of punishment in some cases, including replacement of the death penalty sentences with life-long hard labour and reduction of life-long hard labour sentences to 20-year terms.

Those hiding from justice who will surrender to the authorities can also expect amnesty, the decree read.

Those convicted on charges of terrorism, treason, spying and arms smuggling will remain in jail.

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