FROM TODAY, THE CRIMINAL AMNESTY TAKES EFFECT: 1,335 prisoners to be released, while those convicted of... remain excluded from the law

Starting today, the criminal amnesty law has officially come into effect. The law was approved by Parliament on June 18 and decreed by President Bajram Begaj on June 30.

A total of 1,335 convicted individuals, including women and minors, will benefit from the law, while thousands of others will receive amnesty from criminal prosecution for misdemeanors and low-risk offenses.

The amnesty applies to all individuals whose convictions became final by May 31 of this year, including cases where the Court of Appeal's ruling has not yet been issued in writing.

The law provides for the release of men sentenced to up to three years in prison or lighter penalties, as well as women sentenced to up to four years in prison. It also applies to inmates currently serving sentences who have up to three years remaining for men and up to four years remaining for women.

One of the main eligibility criteria is age. Beneficiaries include men over 60, women over 50, and individuals who were under the age of 18 at the time they committed the offense, except for those convicted of serious crimes that are excluded from the amnesty.

Excluded from the law are individuals convicted of intentional murder, crimes against life, crimes against humanity, rape, sexual offenses, human trafficking, and a range of other serious criminal offenses.

The amnesty also does not apply to individuals who have gone into hiding, escaped, or otherwise evaded the enforcement of their criminal sentences.

It also excludes individuals tried by the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO) or cases under the jurisdiction of the Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK), regardless of the offense for which they were convicted.

In addition to prison releases, the law also provides for the dismissal of criminal prosecution for thousands of individuals involved in misdemeanors and low-risk criminal offenses.

“KORÇA BOOM”