RIGA - Interior Minister Mareks Seglins is wary about a proposal from leaders of the Christian community to pardon criminals before the celebration of Latvia's 90th anniversary of independence. "I am treating this issue very cautiously, as such a general and massive absolution, just like massive condemnation or collective blaming, has never done any good. It may be generous, but ... I would be very cautious regarding such massive freeing," the minister told journalists.
The minister pointed out that each case should be considered and assessed on an individual basis, but that President Valdis Zatlers was empowered to grant pardons and that convicted criminals were eligible to seek such pardons if they behaved well in prison.
"I think that it has to be evaluated on an individual basis 's pardons, just like guilt, must be considered separately," the minister said, warning against possible recidivism in case of a mass amnesty.
The heads of three Christian churches traditionally active in Latvia have called on Zatlers to declare amnesty and pardon convicted criminals before the forthcoming anniversary of Latvia's independence.
Church leaders, headed by Roman Catholic Cardinal Janis Pujats and Lutheran Archbishop Janis Vanags, have said that "amnesty within reason" would be a good gift from the government on the anniversary of independence. Church leaders also think that this would give a new hope and opportunity for those who had been incarcerated. The church does say, however, that amnesty should be limited to those whose crimes have not made others suffer or to those who would have no trouble readjusting into society.
Pujats and Vanags also admit that community attitudes take into account only the most most recent events, and newly released prisoners may face prejudice. Community members leaders did not react positively to the idea of releasing criminals straight back into normal society.
Halfway houses were suggested as a possible alternative, as a kind of "half-pardon" which may pacify both sides of the conflict. Important things to consider also are two cases in which criminals have been pardoned and went on to commit further crimes. Freed criminal Ivars Grantis, who killed at least three people in Bauska, is considered a high risk for being a repeat offender. A freed pedophile went back to his activities soon after as well.
But interior experts already have studied many cases in which criminals have already shown a change in lifestyle and thought and could be considered ready for release into the community. The initiative has already drawn a mixed response from officials and politicians. Justice Minister Gaidis Berzins and Prison Administration head Visvaldis Pukite tend to back the amnesty, but said it should only apply to underage convicts and those adult inmates who have been sentenced for minor offenses.
Meanwhile, Probation Service head Aleksandrs Dementjevs has objected to pardoning criminals, pointing out that the existing penal system already allows well-behaved convicts to seek early release.
