You're reading: Amnesty law applying to Ukrainian soldiers in Donbas comes into force on September 7

The law of Ukraine on amnesty in 2016, which is applied, in particular, to participants in military operations that “defended the sovereignty and territorial independence of the country and did not commit serious crimes,” has been published in the Holos Ukrainy newspaper. Thus, the law comes into force on Sept. 7.

Earlier, Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko said about 1,700 Ukrainian soldiers will be able to benefit this law, as they can receive amnesty within three months.

As reported, the Verkhovna Rada on Dec. 22, 2016 supported bill No. 4255 on amnesty in 2016, taking into account the proposals of the head of state. President Petro Poroshenko signed it on Sept. 2 this year.

According to the law, persons found guilty of committing an intentional crime that is not grave or especially grave or committing a minor offense by negligence can be released from serving a sentence of imprisonment.