President Putin's Amnesty bill may free jailed Pussy Riot members

Russian President Vladimir Putin has submitted an Amnesty bill to Parliament to mark the Russian Constitution’s twentieth anniversary that could see the two jailed Pussy Riot members released early.

There has been no official confirmation as the bill does not name names but, according to NPR, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alekhina may be included in the legislation as it refers to the release of women with children and non-violent offenders. Third Pussy Riot member Yekaterina Samutsevich, whose sentence was suspended, could also be pardoned.

The amnesty could also see around 1,300 people released from prison, 17,500 people relieved of non-custodial sentences and 6,000 criminal proceedings suspended. Recently jailed Greenpeace members, who were protesting oil drilling in the Arctic, may also be amongst those released.

The bill will be put to a vote on 12 December.

[via Spin]