Moldovan president refuses to sign castration law

CHISINAU, Moldova — Moldova's president has refused to sign a law that would have meant that foreigners convicted of sexually abusing children in Moldova were chemically castrated.

President Nicolae Timofti on Tuesday called the legislation "torture," saying it violated human rights, and sent it back to Parliament.

Parliament approved the law on March 6 after lawmakers said the impoverished nation was attracting pedophiles from the West. The law was criticized by the Council of Europe and Amnesty International.

Parliament will now have to modify the legislation.