Vučić announces pardons and amnesties, will resign tonight

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić announced on national television that he will sign decisions to grant pardons and amnesties covering some people involved in incidents over the past year and a half, but did not specify all the beneficiaries.

Speaking to Radio Television of Serbia (RTS), Vučić said he was still finalising the measures and indicated the measures will reach participants on both sides of the unrest that has shaken the country.

Scope and reasoning

"I mean some of the people who took part in everything that happened in the country in the last year and a half, on both sides. Many will be surprised by the pardons and amnesties," he said, without naming individuals.

Vučić added that one decision will apply to people who have already been convicted and another to those not yet convicted, and said he expects the measures to help bring "a calmer life and better understanding."

He also said he felt personal sympathy for some detainees. "I felt sorry for some who spent seven or eight months in detention because of me, so I will help them too," he told RTS.

Vučić said he intends to grant amnesty to a group from Novi Sad. "We are talking about all those blockers, about the Pajić group. This will draw fierce reactions from many of my supporters, but this is my presidential decision," he said.

Vučić earlier announced he will submit his resignation from the presidency tonight, with the formal move expected at around 20:00. After his resignation, presidential powers will be temporarily assumed by the Speaker of the Serbian National Assembly, Ana Brnabić. He remains active in politics as the lead candidate on the United Serbia list and is the nominee for prime minister at the snap parliamentary elections scheduled for 25 October.

Photo: Prinskrin – RTD