MOSCOW, Dec. 6 (UPI) -- Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Friday a proposed amnesty should not be limited to high-profile prisoners.
Interviewed by Moscow television anchors, Medvedev responded to a question of whether famous inmates, including tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky and the feminist punk band Pussy Riot, should be part of an amnesty proposed to mark the 20th anniversary of the Russian constitution by saying, "One should not forget about the 700,000 people currently incarcerated in prison facilities."
He said the amnesty should include minors, pregnant inmates and pensioners, adding, "Why do we only think about those lucky enough to be in the spotlight, who are at the center of an international dispute?"
The Moscow newspaper Kommersant reported Friday more than 30,000 prisoners, and those with suspended sentences or still awaiting trial, could be recipients of the amnesty.
President Vladimir Putin expressed support for the amnesty Wednesday, the Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported.
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