President Grants First Amnesty, Pardons Man Who Caused Traffic Accident

Bratislava, April 14 (TASR) - President Peter Pellegrini has granted an amnesty on humanitarian grounds to a 43-year-old man who negligently caused a traffic accident, with one of the victims being his own ten-year-old son, the President's Office has told TASR, adding that this is the first amnesty granted by the current president. The president granted the amnesty based on a thorough review of the whole case, but especially based on the plea of ​​the bereaved of the other victims who spoke up for the convicted man. The president cancelled a two-year prison sentence for the man on the condition that he doesn't commit a deliberate crime for two years from the date of the pardon. "The interplay of several unfortunate circumstances resulted in a traffic accident with extremely tragic consequences. It was an unintentional offence, for which the guilty person will serve a life sentence in the form of the loss of his only child. In addition to local and church authorities, the bereaved of the other victims themselves have asked for his pardon, saying that they don't hold any grudge against him and that a similar tragedy could have happened to any of them while driving. That's why I came to the conclusion that a prison sentence would no longer serve its purpose. His 6.5-year driving ban remains in place," said the president. Matus C. was convicted of committing offences due to negligence while driving a motor vehicle. Due to the poor condition of the road and an unsuitable driving technique in rainy weather, he skidded on a curve. He neither exceeded the speed limit, nor was he driving under the influence. As a result of the subsequent collision with an oncoming vehicle, five people were killed, including the convicted man's only son, who was ten at the time. This was one the reasons why the bereaved of other victims spoke in favour of granting a pardon. The president was also asked to grant a pardon by the mayor of the town of Stropkov (Presov region) and senior representatives of the Roman Catholic Church. ko/df