Russia could grant amnesty to up to 300,000...

The amnesty, to be declared by the lower house of Russia"s parliament, would come into effect on May 9, when Russia celebrates the 65th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.

"We propose announcing an amnesty on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War," Pavel Krasheninnikov said. "The amnesty could cover 300,000 people, and up to 45,000 people could be freed."

Krasheninnikov said war veterans, the disabled and those convicted of minor crimes could be eligible for the Victory Day amnesty. Most of those expected to be covered were given non-custodial sentences.

MOSCOW, February 25 (RIA Novosti)