Ranko Debevec Suspended, Appeal Does Not Stay Execution of Decision

(Patria) - The First-Instance Disciplinary Commission of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina (HJPC BiH) for judges, deciding upon the request of the Disciplinary Prosecutor's Office (DPO/Office) of the HJPC BiH for the temporary removal from duty of the President of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ranko Debevec, rendered a decision by which Ranko Debevec is temporarily removed from the position of President of the Court of BiH starting from the day following the date of this decision, i.e., from 21 December 2023, until the conclusion of the criminal investigation pursuant to the Order to Conduct an Investigation of the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina of 19 December 2023.

In rendering the decision, the First-Instance Commission of the HJPC BiH was guided by the nature and type of criminal offense covered by the order to conduct an investigation, which concerns criminal offenses under Chapter XIX of the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina – Criminal Offenses of Corruption and Criminal Offenses against Official and Other Responsible Functions.

The First-Instance Disciplinary Commission considers that further performance of the duties of the President of the Court of BiH by the appointee until the conclusion of the investigation would seriously undermine the credibility of the judicial function and the judiciary of BiH as a whole.

This decision of the First-Instance Disciplinary Commission of the HJPC BiH in no way prejudges nor can it affect the outcome of the criminal investigation, nor the right of defense of the accused.

The appeal does not stay the execution of the decision on temporary removal.