On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the creation of the Republic of Cyprus its President Nicos Anastasiades signed an amnesty for 143 convicts, reports CNA.

The central prison of Nicosia specifies that as a result 72 Cypriots and 71 foreigners will be released. Five Cypriot citizens and nine foreign “guests” were immediately released.

It should be noted that the perpetrators of serious crimes – premeditated murder or attempted murder, manslaughter, found guilty of drug trafficking, sexual crimes and crimes against children – were not subject to amnesty. Nor could it be claimed by convicted persons awaiting an appeal from the attorney general, or by those who had previously taken advantage of opportunities for mitigation for the same crime.