Is a partial amnesty coming? Statement from Minister Tunç

Is a partial amnesty on the agenda? Will a partial amnesty be issued? Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç responded to claims of a "partial amnesty" during a TV broadcast he attended yesterday at the AK Party congress. Tunç stated that the scope of the regulation, which previously benefited those whose sentences were finalized under the COVID Law, could be expanded.

WILL A PARTIAL AMNESTY BE ISSUED?

Tunç stated, “Those who committed crimes before the date of the crime for those currently in prison could not benefit from this. They have a request regarding this matter. The discretion here lies with the TBMM (Grand National Assembly of Turkey). A regulation could be made here in terms of the principle of equality, but this is not an amnesty,” he said.

According to the report published in the Türkiye newspaper, the regulation that allowed convicts who were in open prisons during the pandemic period to serve their remaining sentences outside under probation will be expanded. If this proposal passes the TBMM:

Inmates who committed crimes before July 31, 2023, will be able to benefit from probation. Those with 5 years or less remaining until they are eligible for probation will complete their sentences outside.

Previously, only those whose sentences were finalized as of July 31, 2023, benefited from the regulation. The new regulation may also cover those whose sentences have not yet been finalized.

This development is of great importance, especially for inmates awaiting an execution regulation and their families. However, the draft law has not yet been submitted to the TBMM, and the final decision depends on the approval of the Assembly.

NOT AN AMNESTY, BUT PROBATION

According to Minister of Justice Tunç's statements, this regulation is considered an expansion of the probation period, not an amnesty. This regulation, which will allow inmates to complete their remaining sentences outside, could be submitted as a motion within the new judicial package that will come to the Assembly's agenda.

Minister of Justice Tunç said that the regulation is not an amnesty but could be expanded in accordance with the principle of equality. If the new regulation is accepted, inmates who committed crimes before July 31, 2023, will also be able to benefit from probation.

The proposal has not yet been submitted to the TBMM, but it could come to the agenda as a motion within the new judicial package. The Assembly will make the final decision.

News Source: 12punto