President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov signed a decree on pardoning convicted persons on the occasion of the 28th anniversary of the country's independence (September 27), Trend reports referring to the Turkmen government.

According to the document, 868 citizens of the country are exempted from further serving the main punishment in the form of imprisonment, as well as from the additional punishment in the form of imposing the obligation to live in a particular area.

During the working meeting, the head of state emphasized that traditionally, on the eve of major public holidays, steps are taken to pardon convicted persons who have sincerely repented of their deeds and are ready to start a new life.

"Guided by the principles of mercy and humanism, we systematically exempt citizens who have committed crimes from punishment,” the words of the president of the country are quoted in the information of the Turkmen Dovlet Habarlary (TDH) state news agency.