Court and Prosecutor's Office of BiH respond: We will continue to implement the laws of this country

In response to inappropriate and unfounded accusations against the work of the Court and Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina, these two judicial institutions jointly issue the following press release, which the Patria agency transmits in full:

- We strongly condemn attempts of crude political pressure on the work of judicial institutions at the state level, which, in accordance with applicable laws, carry out activities within their jurisdictions. The Court and Prosecutor's Office of BiH will not allow dissatisfied individuals, using powerful media outlets, to call into question the impartial and independent work of these institutions, which are unwavering in their intention to prosecute all those who, through their actions, have come into conflict with the law. There can be, and will be, no exceptions in this regard.

It is completely inappropriate for political parties to exert pressure on the work of judicial institutions in such an open manner and to lead a media lynching of state prosecutors and judges. The Court and Prosecutor's Office have previously prosecuted representatives of political parties, but they have never been exposed to this type of open pressure.

Our mandate is not to fulfill anyone's wishes, but to implement the laws of this country. Therefore, on this occasion, we call on certain political representatives to direct their energy towards political, social and economic reforms and leave the Court and Prosecutor's Office of BiH alone so that they can do their job unhindered.

It is not right to advocate for the rule of law and the fight against organized crime and corruption only when it comes to prosecuting representatives of other political parties. It is irresponsible to send a message to the public through inappropriate statements that these are “rigged processes” and thus discourage potential witnesses in advance.

No one has the right, using an influential position and strong media outlets, to create a public image of a judiciary that supposedly randomly arrests and prosecutes innocent citizens of this country. All those who work honestly and live from their work have no reason to fear the Court and Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and we are completely sure they sleep peacefully. Those others, however, who have in any way violated the law, certainly have reason for concern.

The Court and Prosecutor's Office of BiH have no intention of giving up or succumbing to pressure, no matter where it comes from. More decisively than ever, we continue the fight against all criminal offenses within our jurisdiction, with full respect for the rules, procedures and laws of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The ongoing criminal proceedings will be conducted independently and according to the highest judicial standards, and no one will be able, through political pressure, to influence its final outcome.