Skopje, 27 October 2024 (MIA) - The pardoning commission submitted a collective resignation on Saturday, which was promptly accepted by the President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova. The resignations come after public reactions caused by the President's decision to pardon several convicts on Oct. 23.

Professor Gordan Kalajdzhiev announced the commission's collective resignation in a Facebook post, noting that the resignation is due to personal and professional principles.

"We made this decision in accordance with our personal and professional principles," reads the Facebook post signed by commission members Metodija Kanevchev, Gordan Kalajdzhiev, Arlinda Kadri Shahinovikj, Zora Mitikj, Ana Gjorgjieva Ivanovska and Ajten Shaqiri.

Siljanovska Davkova's Office said the President has accepted the resignation, adding that she will hold consultations in the coming period on the new composition of the commission, as well as on the institutional and legal weaknesses that exist in the system for pardoning convicted persons.

"The members of the Pardoning Commission informed the President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova today that they submit their collective resignation from the positions in the commission. The decision to submit a collective resignation from the Pardoning Commission was made by the members in accordance with their personal and professional principles. President Siljanovska Davkova accepted the resignation submitted by professor Metodija Kanevchev, professor Gordan Kalajdzhiev, professor Arlinda Kadri Shahinovikj, D-r Zora Mitikj, MSc Ana Gjorgjieva Ivanovska and Ajten Shaqiri," reads the press release. 

President Siljanovska Davkova on October 23, after receiving recommendations by the pardoning commission, signed a decision to pardon ten convicts. The decision was published in the Official Gazette, and several names on the list of those pardoned sparked fierce reaction in the public, including former Bitola mayor Vladimir Taleski, Marjan Efremov, who was a defendant in the so-called Spy scandal, Shenol Maslani from Arachinovo, brother of Shenasi Maslani known as Shenki Versace, and Akif Ravmanoski, who is linked with the criminal gang known as "Baron" from Arachinovo. Upon his release from the Idrizovo prison, Ravmanoski was immediately arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Following the reactions in the public, President Siljanovska Davkova convened a meeting of the Pardoning Commission at the "Vila Vodno" on Friday, but there was no official information after the meeting.

The President signs pardoning decisions after receiving recommendations by the pardoning commission, which is a permanent body in service of the President. 

Photo: MIA archive