Slovaks vote to allow annulment of pardons in kidnapping
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FILE- In this Saturday April 17, 2004 file photo, the then Slovak presidential candidate and former Prime Minister Vladimir Meciar speaks to the media after casting his vote during elections in downtown Bratislava, Slovakia. Slovakia’s parliament has started to debate a proposal to annul pardons by former authoritarian Prime Minister Vladimir Meciar that prevent an investigation into the kidnapping of the son of late President Michal Kovac, Meciar's political archrival. A vote is expected on Thursday, March 30, 2017. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek, File) (The Associated Press)
Slovakia's parliament has amended the constitution to make it possible for lawmakers to annul pardons granted by former Prime Minister Vladimir Meciar that barred investigations into the kidnapping of the son of late President Michal Kovac.
The authoritarian Meciar, Kovac's archrival, led Slovakia into international isolation during the 1990s and is alleged to have been behind Michal Kovac Jr.'s abduction to Austria in 1995. The event that shocked the country.
During two separate votes Thursday, 124 and 123 lawmakers voted to allow parliament to rescind the pardons. Three voted against them.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A three-fifths majority, or 90 votes in the 150-seat parliament were needed for approval.
According to the amendment, the country's Constitutional Court should have the final say.