Amnesty for some prisoners would commemorate Bulgaria's accession to the EU, Justice Minister Georgi Petkanov said.

A draft-law to be voted in parliament within a month included amnesty for 1500 to 1800 prisoners having lighter prison sentences or nearing their release, International Herald Tribune (IHT) reported.

According to the draft-law the amnesty would mark Bulgaria's EU accession, because „such important events should be observed by acts of humanity and mercy to the convicted."

Prisoners sentenced for murders, sexual crimes towards minors or robbery would not be granted amnesty, IHT said.

EU accession was the formal reason for the amnesty, IHT said. Prisoners all around Bulgaria were protesting against poor conditions in prisons.

Petkanov said that the protest would speed the draft-law voting. Means were provided for improvement of living conditions in prisons, he also said.

EU critisises Bulgaria for the lack of results in the fight against crime and corruption and for judicial system problems, IHT said. Significant part of the EU funding for Bulgaria would depend on the reforms in these areas.