Kajinek (2010)

After the dissolution of Czechoslovakia, corruption and organized crime are on the rise. In 1993, two criminals are shot dead, while Vlasta Klempar is seriously wounded but spared. Jiří Kajínek is found guilty of the double murder and sentenced to life imprisonment in the Czech high-security prison Mírov. Years later, Kajínek’s defense attorney at the time, Doležal, is involved with the young lawyer Pokorová. She is firmly convinced that Kajínek did not receive a fair trial and wants to reopen the case. Testimony from Klempar’s cellmates was ignored, even though it documented police involvement. Evidence seized at the crime scene was covered up, a police officer’s audio recording has disappeared, and Doležal reports that a deal was offered, which Kajínek did not accept. The criminals allegedly murdered by Kajínek had previously abused Pokorová’s older sister and beaten her so badly that she was left crippled, before raping Pokorová herself, who was only 14 at the time, a short while later. She therefore has a personal interest in the case. The police chief at the time, Novotný, confirms Pokorová’s suspicions and refers her to Lejčko, a former police officer, who, however, is under such intense pressure that he does not want to make a detailed statement. Although serious doubts arise about the earlier evidence, a retrial is denied. Novotný then confronts Doležal because he failed to stop Pokorová’s efforts. Shortly afterward, Doležal dies in what is supposedly a car accident. Pokorová continues investigating and discovers that Novotný is pulling all the strings behind the scenes. Meanwhile, Kajínek succeeds in one of his many escape attempts. He wants to prove his innocence in his own way. He confirms to Pokorová that Lejčko could indeed exonerate him, but a break-in at Novotný’s safe gets him nowhere. Lejčko is now willing to cooperate fully and hands Pokorová cigarette butts seized at the crime scene, which he calls his life insurance. The lawyer is then attacked, and Novotný manages to get hold of the suppressed evidence. Novotný evidently also has the judges in the case under his control. On Novotný’s orders, Lejčko is shot dead, and Kajínek is recaptured in a nighttime operation after five weeks. Pokorová goes public and continues to plead for a new trial, now with ministerial support. In the meantime, Novotný plays Kajínek a tape in prison that proves police involvement in the crime. During her next visit, Pokorová promises Kajínek that she will keep fighting for him.