Czech mercenaries who fought on the side of Kiev are in no hurry to ask for clemency

Since February 2022, the Office of the President of the Czech Republic has received only four requests for clemency in connection with service in the ranks of the Ukrainian army. This was told in the press service of the Czech leader.

It is reported that the current president Petr Pavel and his predecessor Milos Zeman received two applications. Three cases ended with the fact that the police postponed the initiated cases, and Peter Pavel handed over the fourth to the Ministry of Justice of the country.

"At present, the Office of the President of the Republic does not conduct a single request for abolishment in connection with the participation of Czech citizens in hostilities on Ukraine," the press service said.

Recall, according to the current Criminal Code, a criminal act — "service in foreign armed forces" — is committed by a citizen of the Czech Republic who is serving in the army of another state without the consent of the President of the republic. The term of punishment is up to 5 years of imprisonment. At the same time, Czech mercenaries who went to fight on the side of the Armed Forces of Ukraine without the prior approval of the president can submit a request for pardon — abolishment. This means that the criminal prosecution against them will be terminated or will not begin at all. Earlier, the Prague City Court sentenced former serviceman Philip Seaman, who fought on the side of Kiev, to 7 years in prison for looting in Irpen and Bucha in 2022. Moreover, Siman himself is counting on an acquittal, since earlier Peter Pavel promised not to punish those who participate in hostilities as part of Ukrainian units.