Macedonia to chemically castrate pedophiles

Macedonia's parliament adopted a law yesterday introducing chemical castration for repeat pedophile offenders and increasing jail sentences to life imprisonment.

Social Policy Minister Dime Spasov said the chemical castration -- drugs administered to reduce libido and sexual activity -- would be "performed in specialised facilities every six months" for repeat offenders.

Under the bill, first-time offenders could be sentenced to between 15 and 40 years in prison or opt for chemical castration in exchange for reduced punishment.

Russia, Denmark and Poland are among the countries that have introduced chemical castration.

In 2012, Macedonia became the first country in the Balkans to publish an online register of convicted pedophiles, with pictures, names and addresses of those released from jail.

Since 2004, more than 230 people in Macedonia have been convicted for sexual abuse of minors.