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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Malovic elaborates on amnesty bill

Belgrade, 9 March 2010

Minister of Justice Snezana Malovic stated today that around 5,000 proceedings are under way for criminal acts for which amnesty has been proposed, adding that the cases are mostly led against Serbian citizens living abroad.

Elaborating on the amnesty bill to Serbian MPs, Malovic said that according to current data, there are around 140,000 conscripts abroad, of whom 44,000 are recruits. Each year around 5,000 conscripts demand a postponement of their obligation to serve in the army. The Minister explained that a number of conscripts living abroad cannot get in touch with diplomatic and consular offices. A certain number of those who have not served in the Serbian Army choose to renounce their Serbian citizenship and the state must try to prevent this drain of its citizens, especially the young, Malovic said.

She said that the amnesty bill will allow for amnesty to be granted for certain criminal acts against the Serbian Army, namely for the avoidance of serving in the Army, avoiding conscription, avoiding military service by means of deceit, fleeing from the army and similar matters.

The bill envisages amnesty for the period from 18 April 2006, when the previous Law on amnesty was adopted for similar criminal acts, until the day the new law comes into force.

Malovic said that amnesty is an act of political willingness on behalf of state leadership. It is a full or partial pardon for certain criminal acts, or a replacement of a severe punishment with a milder one. It also implies rehabilitation or abolishment of some or all legal consequences of a verdict.