Social Democrats deputy chair still waiting to learn who formulated Klaus amnesty

The deputy chairman of the opposition Social Democrats, Lubomír Zaorálek, says he is still waiting to learn who formulated a controversial amnesty declared by President Klaus at the beginning of the year. Speaking on a TV debate programme on Sunday, Mr. Zaorálek said that he had applied for the information under right to information legislation but had received a reply from Prague Castle that “said nothing”. He said that he would now address the president directly and would consider taking a lawsuit if he does not find satisfaction.

Under President Klaus’s amnesty, which he said was to mark 20 years since the foundation of the Czech Republic, over 6,000 prisoners have been released early, while – more controversially – cases dragging through the courts for eight years or longer have been thrown out. The president’s office has refused to specify who drew up the declaration.

Author: Ian Willoughby