Russia's parliament has adopted an amnesty under which two jailed members of punk band Pussy Riot be released.
Lawyers said that under the new amnesty some 30 people arrested in a Greenpeace protest against Arctic oil drilling would also be able to avoid trial.
According to the Guardian, the Greenpeace 'Arctic 30' could be released by Christmas, and the two jailed members of the punk group Pussy Riot in the coming days.
The amnesty, backed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, is timed to coincide with the 20th anniversary of Russia's constitution.
The Duma, Russia's parliament, voted 446-0 in favour of the bill in its third and final reading on Wednesday.
