Czech president pardons convicted contract murderer

Published 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 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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