With 66 votes against, 17 votes in favor and 3 abstentions, the Government’s proposal on approving the law on amnesty in a fast-track procedure failed to receive support in Parliament, writes news agency MIA.

“The primary goal is towards the alarming situation in the penitentiaries, both in terms of the conditions there and in terms of overcrowding. These recommendations and findings are made by many relevant institutions that note such conditions in their reports,” said Justice Minister Krenar Lloga, who proposed the law, elaborating on the need to pass the bill.

According to him, the state can decide not to carry out criminal prosecutions against the perpetrators of crimes in certain measures set forth by law, and now a prisoner can be pardoned or have their sentence reduced.

“Punishment is something that has been done, and amnesty is what will enable socialization,” Lloga said, adding that social reasons are very important in passing the amnesty law.

Ahead of Thursday’s session, the Justice Minister distributed photos of the prison conditions to the MPs.

Previously, opposition party VMRO-DPMNE threatened to block the bill by submitting numerous amendments, and the ruling party SDSM also announced amendments in order to exempt from amnesty those convicted in the ‘Monster’ case.