Czech president pardons convicted contract murderer
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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.
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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."