Rights Advocate Calls Putin’s Pardon of 23 Women a 'Big Surprise'

Eva Merkacheva, a member of the Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights, described the decision by Russian President Vladimir Putin to pardon 23 women as a major surprise. In comments to Podyom, Merkacheva said the clemency decree exceeded her expectations, even though she had earlier proposed such a measure. Initiative for Clemency In December 2025, Vladimir Putin agreed to consider a list of candidates for pardons. He asked Merkacheva to compile and submit the names.