Thousands Of Prisoners Freed In Czech Republic

(Vatican Radio) The Czech Republic's centre right government is under pressure over a decision by President Vaclav Klaus to free nearly one in three prisoners.

In a New Years statement, President Klaus made clear that granting amnesty to thousands of prisoners was a gesture to mark 20 years of independence.

The Czech Republic broke away from what was Czechoslovakia on January 1, 1993.

Some 3,000 inmates have already been freed, with more than 4,000 expected to join them in the coming days. Prisoners serving sentences of more than 10 years are not affected.

Everyone behind bars for less than one year is eligible for release as well as all inmates over the age of 75, if their sentence was less than 10 years.

DETAINED AGAIN

At least two robbers were detained again after they allegedly tried to rob a bar and broke into a car, following their release this week.

That incident underscores concerns within the opposition, which demands a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister Petr Necas because he supported the mass pardon.

Even within his own cabinet questions are raised over the amnesty measures.

Critics are also angry because the amnesty means several big financial fraud cases will now stop because court proceedings have lasted for more than eight years.

EU LAWS

President Klaus says this is in line with European Union practices, though he himself is known as a Eurosceptic. In his words the amnesty gesture is aimed at "giving a fresh chance to those citizens who may have broken the law but who are not repeat offenders."

He even plans another amnesty before he resigns in March.

In neighbouring Slovakia, politicians are also under pressure over their alleged involvement in corruption or reluctance to prosecute suspects.

Disillusioned Slovaks have turned to the power of prayer in the heavily Catholic nation in the hope of cleaning up politicians widely regarded as corrupt.

HUNDREDS PRAY

Hundreds of people already vowed to pray for the politician of their choice for at least five minutes a day for six months since the Internet initiative was launched in the heavily Catholic nation on Tuesday by Slovakia's Christian Youth Communities Association.

Last year a secret-service file code-named Gorilla, leaked on the Internet, revealed alleged links between corrupt oligarchs from a private financial group and nearly all of the country's political elite.

Like the Czech Republic, Slovakia commemorates these days 20 years of independence.

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