Dolovac loses jurisdiction: Head of VTK will be appointed by the Chief Public Prosecutor of HPP's Office

According to the Draft Amendments to this Law, which our newsroom has reviewed, it is proposed that the Special Department for High-Tech Crime be headed by the head of the department, rather than, as currently regulated, by the Special Prosecutor appointed by the Supreme Public Prosecutor.

It is proposed that the head of the special department be appointed by the Chief Public Prosecutor of the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office (VJT) in Belgrade, selected from among the public prosecutors of the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office or the Appellate Public Prosecutor’s Office.

When making the appointment, priority will be given to public prosecutors who possess specialized knowledge in the field of information technologies, according to the Draft.

The Draft also stipulates that the head of the special department will be accountable for the work of the Special Department and for their own work to the Chief Public Prosecutor of the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade, in accordance with the law, while the Chief Public Prosecutor of the VJT in Belgrade will further regulate the functioning of the Special Department.

If it is determined that a particular criminal case falls under the jurisdiction of the Special Department for High-Tech Crime, the head of the department or the Chief Public Prosecutor of the VJT in Belgrade will notify the Supreme Public Prosecutor in writing, requesting that the case be transferred to the department’s jurisdiction.

The Draft mandates that the Chief Public Prosecutor of the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade appoint the head of the Special Department within 30 days from the date this law enters into force.