Over 80 percent of Czechs disagree with Klaus´s amnesty - poll

The opinion is held by people across the country, irrespective of age and education level.

Almost 90 percent of the polled said Klaus should have explained the amnesty in great detail.

Klaus declared the partial amnesty on the 20th anniversary of the Czech Republic. It took effect on January 2.

The amnesty pardons some people in prison as well as those who were given suspended sentences and halts criminal prosecution in some types of cases.

Czechs disagree mainly with the granting of an amnesty to people who were prosecuted for serious economic crimes, such as big frauds, tax evasion and corruption for more than eight years.

Ninety-two percent of the polled said the amnesty should not have covered them while 6 percent were of the opposite opinion.

The poll showed that 83 percent of people are afraid the amnesty will have an impact on crime in the country.

The fear is mainly shared by people over 60 while young people aged 18 to 29 are scared the least.

Three-quarters of people would prefer lighter alternative punishments, such as community work, to amnesties.

The poll was carried out on 617 people on January 3-4.

Author: ČTK
www.ctk.cz