Cernak to Remain in Prison, Court Rejects Proposal for Parole (2)

Leopoldov, 24 September (TASR) - Former Banska Bystrica mob boss Mikulas Cernak, who was given a life sentence, will remain in prison, but the decision of a Trnava District Court senate regarding the proposal for granting Cernak parole is not yet final, as his lawyer has filed an appeal against the verdict, which will be decided on by a regional court. The court came to the conclusion that it wasn't reasonable to expect Cernak to lead a normal life after his release. It pointed out that Cernak committed crimes in a serious, cruel and socially unacceptable manner. The proposal to release Cernak on parole was submitted by Restart-New Life NGO, with Cernak asking to have it considered as his own personal proposal as well. He expressed regret for the multiple murders that he's committed. The former boss of a Banska Bystrica criminal gang was given a life sentence, but he was eligible to apply for parole because he has now served 25 years in prison. NOTE: This story has been updated in the first paragraph and extended to include the second paragraph. ko/df