President Siljanovska-Davkova pardons 25 prisoners for Ilinden

President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova has issued pardons for 25 convicted individuals in observance of the Ilinden national holiday. According to the decision published in the Official Gazette, six prisoners have been fully released from the remainder of their prison sentences, while 19 others have received partial sentence reductions ranging from five to nine months. The most significant reduction was granted to Imer Shefije Jakup, whose sentence was shortened by one year and six months.

The pardons were issued under Article 84 of the Constitution and the Law on Pardon. However, this year's process utilized legal provisions dating back to 1993. New legislative solutions intended to modernize the pardon process, increase transparency, and clarify the competencies of the President and the Pardon Commission have been proposed since December but remain pending within the Ministry of Justice. These proposed reforms aim to distinguish between pardoning a sentence and granting amnesty or abolition.