SELAK: EVEN HJPC CONFIRMED THAT JUDGES IN BANJA LUKA ACTED LAWFULLY

BANJA LUKA, JULY 13 /SRNA/ - Republika Srpska Minister of Justice Goran Selak said that the judges of the Court of General Jurisdiction in Banja Luka acted lawfully in the case involving President Milorad Dodik and that this is also confirmed by the decision of the disciplinary body of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council /HJPC/ of BiH, which found that there was no disciplinary liability.

"I am convinced that this decision sends an important message that the judiciary must be protected from any kind of pressure and that the only criteria guiding judges in their work must be the Constitution and the law," Selak said. Selak stated that it took almost four months to conclude the proceedings, during which the honourable and professional judges were subjected to unjustified pressure. "When the provisions of the law are respected, it is not difficult to make the right decision. Unfortunately, over the past several months, we have witnessed inappropriate and unprofessional pressure being exerted on the judges of the Court of General Jurisdiction in Banja Luka, who conscientiously performed their duties and acted in accordance with the law," Selak emphasized. He reminded that as early as March he had warned that the actions of the HJPC of BiH represented a serious blow to the independence of the judiciary, and that this decision further confirms that there were no irregularities whatsoever in the judges' conduct. "Everyone within the judicial community was aware that the judges of the Court of General Jurisdiction in Banja Luka had acted lawfully," Selak said. Selak said that he welcomed this decision, but at the same time questioned what is more important for society, the independence of the courts and judges or witch-hunts driven by political motives and personal animosities.