OREANDA-NEWS  Georgian President Mikhail Kavelashvili pardoned 159 prisoners on Monday in connection with the religious holiday of Epiphany, the press service of the head of state reports.

"The President used the exceptional powers granted to him by the Constitution and pardoned 159 prisoners," the press service said in a statement.

According to the information, the pardon is "based on the principle of humanism and state interests."