Miskovic Trial Should be Example of Efficient Judiciary

BELGRADE - Serbian Justice Minister Nikola Selakovic reacted, after the preliminary hearing in the case against Miroslav Miskovic was postponed. Serbian Justice Minister Nikola Selakovic said, after the preliminary hearing in the case against Delta Holding owner Miroslav Miskovic was postponed, that such moves make efficient and fair trials seem still very far away from Serbia. Miskovic Trial Should be Example of Efficient Judiciary "Without going into the details of any court case, including this one which is at the center of public attention, I must note that such moves make efficiency and fairness of court proceedings seem still very far away from Serbia," Selakovic said in a written statement. The trial taking place before the watchful eye of the entire country and region must be an example of a fair and efficient judiciary, said Selakovic. Mistakes by the Belgrade District Court's Organized Crime Chamber are certainly possible, but they must not result in neverending trials and become the opposite of what the justice system needs to be, warned the minister. Efficiency and fairness depend on the court, but also on the lawyers, said Selakovic, wondering if "these are the same lawyers who called for the trial to start as soon as possible." "Is this the same scenario as in the trial again a certain politician, whose laywers also called for speedy start to the trial and are now using every formality to stretch it out as long as possible," asked the minister. The court has a duty to ensure the law and the defendant's rights are respected, but it must also prevent abuse which results in neverending trials, said Selakovic. "Serbia needs a judiciary which will bring everyone to justice in an efficient and fair process, regardless of their wealth and former or current position. Otherwise, we will not be able to say there is justice in Serbia," concluded the justice minister. The preliminary hearing ahead of the trial for fraud in road building companies against Miskovic, his son Marko, and another eight people has been delayed until October 14th, because several defense attorneys were not notified on time. Tanjug Tanjug

Miskovic Trial Should be Example of Efficient Judiciary

"Without going into the details of any court case, including this one which is at the center of public attention, I must note that such moves make efficiency and fairness of court proceedings seem still very far away from Serbia," Selakovic said in a written statement.

The trial taking place before the watchful eye of the entire country and region must be an example of a fair and efficient judiciary, said Selakovic.

Mistakes by the Belgrade District Court's Organized Crime Chamber are certainly possible, but they must not result in neverending trials and become the opposite of what the justice system needs to be, warned the minister.

Efficiency and fairness depend on the court, but also on the lawyers, said Selakovic, wondering if "these are the same lawyers who called for the trial to start as soon as possible."

"Is this the same scenario as in the trial again a certain politician, whose laywers also called for speedy start to the trial and are now using every formality to stretch it out as long as possible," asked the minister.

The court has a duty to ensure the law and the defendant's rights are respected, but it must also prevent abuse which results in neverending trials, said Selakovic.

"Serbia needs a judiciary which will bring everyone to justice in an efficient and fair process, regardless of their wealth and former or current position. Otherwise, we will not be able to say there is justice in Serbia," concluded the justice minister.

The preliminary hearing ahead of the trial for fraud in road building companies against Miskovic, his son Marko, and another eight people has been delayed until October 14th, because several defense attorneys were not notified on time.