Skopje, 4 October 2023 (MIA) - The draft-Law on Pardoning eliminates the option for the President to pardon persons under investigative or court proceedings.

Regarding the draft-Law on Pardoning, which development involved a representative of the President Stevo Pendarovski, it finally includes the pledge of the Head of State to eliminate the pardon from our legal system, i.e. eliminate the President's right to pardon persons under investigative or court proceedings, where a final ruling has not been made, the President's Office said in a press release.

In this way, it adds, criminal courts would be able to fulfill their function, namely proving the guilt of the defendants and sentence those who are found guilty of committing crimes.

Earlier in the day, the Ministry of Justice said the draft-Law on Pardoning has been forwarded to the Parliament, noting that the President's right to pardon persons from punishment and criminal prosecution was one of the most debated issues by the working group drafting the law. The law now prescribes that the President can give a pardon that is only related to a sentence, not criminal prosecution of individuals.

Photo: MIA archive