Judge defends decision to let Mišković leave country

BELGRADE Judge Vladimir Vucinic has said that he strictly adhered to the law when he decided that Miroslav Miskovic would have his passport "temporarily returned." The Delta Holding owner, who is currently on trial on corruption charges, was thus able to travel to London. Judge defends decision to let Miskovic leave country "I do not want to comment on why I made that decision and I am not under obligation to give explanations neither to the court president nor to the members of the council. This was my appraisal, my decision, and I stand by it. There is a legal mechanism for protection, if someone is insisting in that direction. The Law on Judges and the Code of Ethics gives me the right to hold such a position," this Special Court judge told the Belgrade-based daily Politika. He further stated that in the case of Miskovic, "no measure was determined, extended, or revoked - which would have been a reason to seek the opinion of the special prosecutor." The judge believes that the opinion of the prosecution was not required in this legal situation and that "no one has the right to demand an explanation regarding this decision." "I do not allow others to make decisions in any of my cases. This decisions and procedures are absolutely legitimate, and I do my job with a filigree precision. The law says that after the confirmation of the indictment, this measure is decided on by the presiding judge," Vucinic was quoted as saying. Special Prosecutor Miljko Radosavljevic said earlier that he received "no information" and that the opinion of the prosecution was not sought when it comes to the decision to give Miskovic his passport back. Judge Vucinic said it was "media speculation" that this happened "secretly," and that the decision did not go through the court registry office. "Illegality in the procedure is being attributed to me in an insidious manner and I experience this as pressure. The law has absolutely been respected," he said, and added that the passport was given back to Miskovic directly, "as the law proscribes." Asked what consequences can be expected if Miskovic fails to show up in the courtroom when his trial resumes on December 26, Vucinic said: "Whether Miskovic returns is a matter of evaluation, and the evaluation was made based on the state of affairs in the case. I do not want to predict what will happen. I cannot say what kind of guarantees he provided, or the details about the trip, because I would commit a disciplinary offense if I announced it to the media." Miroslav Miskovic (Tanjug, file) Politika Tanjug

Judge defends decision to let Mišković leave country

"I do not want to comment on why I made that decision and I am not under obligation to give explanations neither to the court president nor to the members of the council. This was my appraisal, my decision, and I stand by it. There is a legal mechanism for protection, if someone is insisting in that direction. The Law on Judges and the Code of Ethics gives me the right to hold such a position," this Special Court judge told the Belgrade-based daily Politika.

He further stated that in the case of Mišković, "no measure was determined, extended, or revoked - which would have been a reason to seek the opinion of the special prosecutor." The judge believes that the opinion of the prosecution was not required in this legal situation and that "no one has the right to demand an explanation regarding this decision."

"I do not allow others to make decisions in any of my cases. This decisions and procedures are absolutely legitimate, and I do my job with a filigree precision. The law says that after the confirmation of the indictment, this measure is decided on by the presiding judge," Vučinić was quoted as saying.

Special Prosecutor Miljko Radosavljević said earlier that he received "no information" and that the opinion of the prosecution was not sought when it comes to the decision to give Mišković his passport back.

Judge Vučinić said it was "media speculation" that this happened "secretly," and that the decision did not go through the court registry office.

"Illegality in the procedure is being attributed to me in an insidious manner and I experience this as pressure. The law has absolutely been respected," he said, and added that the passport was given back to Mišković directly, "as the law proscribes."

Asked what consequences can be expected if Mišković fails to show up in the courtroom when his trial resumes on December 26, Vučinić said:

"Whether Mišković returns is a matter of evaluation, and the evaluation was made based on the state of affairs in the case. I do not want to predict what will happen. I cannot say what kind of guarantees he provided, or the details about the trip, because I would commit a disciplinary offense if I announced it to the media."