amnesty law

Last week, the Constitutional Court declared unconstitutional the amendments to the Amnesty Law on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Moldova’s independence. These amendments were introduced by the outgoing parliament during 2022 and allowed life convicts to apply for the commutation of a life sentence to a sentence of up to 30 years of imprisonment and then for amnesty.

The Constitutional Court commented on the constitutionality of a number of amendments to the Amnesty Law on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Moldova’s independence. These amendments were introduced by the outgoing parliament during 2022 and allowed life convicts to apply for commutation of life imprisonment to a sentence of up to 30 years of imprisonment and then for amnesty,” Logos Press reported.

The release of prisoners with a life sentence is regulated by the Law on Amnesty and the provisions of Article 91 of the Criminal Code. The law states that on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Moldova, a person to whom certain provisions of the articles cannot be applied shall have his sentence reduced or replaced by imprisonment for up to 30 years, if he is sentenced for life.

The scandalous amendments to the Law on Amnesty have been in the TOP of the most discussed events for almost a week. After several life convicts were released, the heads of high-ranking officials – MP Olesia Stamate and the head of the National Administration of Penitentiary Institutions Anatol Falka – “flew”. While the authorities are justifying themselves, the opposition is pouring oil on the fire, and the media are savoring the piquant details, Logos Press decided to ask the opinion of prominent Moldovan lawyers.