An amnesty law which will see many of Russia's most high profile political prisoners released has been approved by MPs and could come into effect as early as Thursday.
Although the amnesty is officially part of celebrations to mark the 20th anniversary of the Russian constitution, it has also been seen as an attempt to appease human rights concerns in the run up to Russia's hosting of the winter Olympics in 2014.
Along with members of the band Pussy Riot and the crew of the Greenpeace ship Arctic sunrise and others jailed for various forms of protest, the amnesty will also free members of the police force sentenced for torture.
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