Kajínek

Kajínek is the surname of Jiří Kajínek, a Czech convicted murderer. His case has been highly controversial in the Czech Republic due to claims of a flawed investigation and potential innocence.

Jiří Kajínek (born January 11, 1961) was convicted in 1998 for the double murder of businessman Jaroslav Soukup and his bodyguard, Vojtěch Pokoš, and the attempted murder of another bodyguard, Julius Pokoš, which occurred in May 1993 near Plzeň. He was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Kajínek has consistently maintained his innocence, claiming he was framed. His claims have attracted considerable public attention and media coverage, leading to numerous documentaries, books, and a feature film about the case. Supporters point to inconsistencies in witness testimonies and the lack of definitive forensic evidence linking him directly to the crime scene.

Despite multiple appeals and a request for clemency, his conviction was upheld. However, in 2017, Czech President Miloš Zeman granted Kajínek a pardon, citing doubts about the fairness of the trial. This pardon did not overturn the conviction but released him from prison after serving 23 years. Zeman specified that the pardon applied only to the life sentence for the double murder and attempted murder, not to any potential future crimes.

The Kajínek case remains a significant legal and cultural touchstone in the Czech Republic, highlighting debates about judicial fairness, evidence-based convictions, and the power of public opinion.