Perić: I will break laws that are contrary to justice, proposed fellow judges from 'Respirator' case as witnesses

(Patria) - In the proceedings against the judge of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Branko Perić, the Disciplinary Commission accepted the amended point of the indictment concerning untimely and ineffective action in making a decision, as well as all evidence proposals presented at the preparatory hearing, reports Detektor.

The Office of the Disciplinary Prosecutor previously submitted the amended indictment, after it was stated last time that the factual description of the violation was not provided.

Perić believes that this point of the indictment still does not contain a description of the act committed.

- We still don't know what I am accused of - said Perić.

He stated that a detailed review of the case file should be conducted to determine whether there was untimely action in the case to which this point of the indictment refers, and in which, as he stated, no one has ever filed a complaint. Perić stated that interference in ongoing proceedings is not allowed and that it would jeopardize the independence of the judge, and believes that "judges should be freed from the pressure of administrative bodies".

Disciplinary Prosecutor Asmir Baćevac stated that the point of the indictment has been amended and clearly and unambiguously indicates delays in taking action.

- The claims about the intention to influence an ongoing proceeding, I don't understand how that was concluded - said Baćevac.

Presiding Judge Aleksandra Obradović stated that the First Instance Disciplinary Commission considers that the indictment has been supplemented and that the proceedings can continue.

The prosecutor proposed Judge of the Court of BiH and President of the Criminal Division, Minka Kreho, as a witness, as well as a set of material evidence, including a CD with the public pronouncement of the verdict against Fadil Novalić and others on April 5.

Due to the dissenting opinion that Perić expressed when this verdict was announced, the Office filed a lawsuit against him, accusing him of "making decisions that clearly violate the law or persistently and unjustifiably violate procedural rules". The indictment also accuses Perić of conduct that constitutes a serious breach of official duty, or calls into question public trust in the impartiality and credibility of the judiciary, due to a statement in which he claims that the "prosecutorial-media mafia wants to criminally sanction him for expressing his opinion".

Baćevac also proposed Perić's article on the dissenting judicial opinion, as well as the complaint of the President of the Court, and several acts of the President of the Criminal Division from March of this year, as evidence.

Perić said he does not object to the evidence and that it supports his case, but considers it absurd that his scientific work would be used as evidence.

- This proves that you were aware that you were breaking the law - said Baćevac, to which Perić replied that he would break laws that are contrary to justice.

Perić proposed judges Goran Radević and Braco Stupar as witnesses, two colleagues from the Panel in the case against Novalić and others. For the second point, he proposed two professional associates, stating that they are familiar with the planning of trial dynamics and deadlines. Baćevac objected to calling the associates, stating that the judge is responsible for the case.

The Commission decided to accept all evidence proposals, and the main hearing is scheduled for December 7, when the hearing of Judge Kreho is planned.