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Czech president pardons convicted contract murderer

Czech president pardons convicted contract murderer | iNFOnews.ca
Double contract murderer Jiri Kajinek, center, leaves the prison in Rynovice, Jablonec nad Nisou in northern Bohemia, Tuesday, May 23, 2017. Czech president Milos Zeman has used his power to pardon a man convicted of a double contract murder. Jiri Kajinek was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1998 for the murders he committed in 1993. Kajinek pleaded not guilty. Tuesday’s release of the 56-year-old after serving 23 years in prison was criticized by some politicians and legal experts but a majority of the public seemed to agree, according to a recent poll. (Radek Petrasek /CTK via AP)

PRAGUE, Czech Republic – Czech President Milos Zeman has used his power to pardon a man convicted of a double contract murder.

Jiri Kajinek was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1998 for the murders he committed in 1993. Kajinek pleaded not guilty.

Tuesday’s release of the 56-year-old was criticized by some politicians and legal experts but a majority of the public seemed to agree, according to a recent poll.

Zeman argued there were doubts about the conviction. Critics said he wanted to gain popularity ahead of the presidential election early next year as he plans to seek re-election.

Some unexplained questions about the case still remained. A 2010 feature movie “Kajinek” contributed to his popularity.

Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka called Kajinek “a negative figure.”

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Abbey Westbury

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