As he had promised, Donald Trump pardoned 1,270 people convicted of their participation in the assault on the Capitol. Defendants whom he defines as hostages who were treated very unfairly. Could we imagine such a scenario at home? “574 requests for only 7 granted”: how are pardons granted in Belgium?
Here too, there is what is called the royal pardon, but it is nothing like the pardons granted by the 47th President of the United States.
“These royal pardons are very poorly named, since in reality, the king does not decide on anything, unlike Donald Trump in the United States,” explains Amélie Schildt, our journalist specializing in royalties.
At our place, “requests for pardon arrive on King Philippe’s desk, but he will transmit them directly to the competent department which is the pardon service at the Ministry of Justice. This is where the requests will be analyzed, studied. Then, they go directly back to the Minister of Justice who validates them. Finally, they return to the king’s desk, but he will simply add his signature. So, once again, it’s not him who decides“.
Are there many pardons granted in Belgium?
“These graces have become truly anecdotal“, replies our journalist on set. “Last year, there were 574 requests for only 7 pardons granted. Most of the time, these were driving violations. These pardons make it possible to reduce prison sentences, cancel fines or cancel a disqualification from driving. In any case, these royal pardons will never erase a criminal record“.
presidential pardon royal pardon belgium united states
