Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili has pardoned more than 200 people in connection with the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, the presidential administration said.

According to the administration, the pardon covers 217 people serving prison sentences and six people who are not incarcerated, The Caspian Post reports, citing Interfax.

In addition, the criminal records of three other people have been cleared.

The administration said the president’s decision to exercise his exceptional constitutional powers was based on the principles of humanism and state interests.