MOSCOW, May 20 (RAPSI) - Around  23,000 convicts have been released in Russia in accordance with the presidential amnesty, which has been arranged to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, Russia’s Federal Penitentiary Service announced Tuesday.

The State Duma in December unanimously adopted an amnesty bill submitted by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The amnesty applies to individuals convicted of minor offenses and medium-gravity crimes. It most immediately impacts minors, women with minor children, pregnant women, the elderly and certain disabled people.

As of May 16, 22,790 convicts have been released since the adoption of the amnesty decree, the statement says.