Al-Furafisah al-Hanafi said: Sayyiduna al-Zubayr (may Allah be pleased with him) passed by us while we had caught a thief. He (may Allah be pleased with him) interceded for him, saying: Let him go. We said: O Abu Abdullah, are you telling us to let him go? He (may Allah be pleased with him) said: That may be done before the matter reaches the ruler; but if it reaches the ruler, then may Allah not pardon him (the ruler) if he pardons him.
Hadith Referenceالسنن الكبرى للبيهقي / كتاب الأشربة والحد فيها / 17620