One prosecutor was prevented from investigating the so-called Ćaciland, the executive branch is conducting a frontal attack on Organized Crime Prosecutor's Office, Supreme Public Prosecutor's Office it "spoke" about the pressure from the Serbian Parliament, the plaintiff's car from Subotica was set on fire. These are just the cases that came to the public in December and reopen the issue of security and autonomy of the prosecutor's office.
The most recent incident took place in Subotica, where the public prosecutor of the Basic Public Prosecutor's Office, Aleksandra Stojsavljević, had her vehicle set on fire. This case raises the question of whether the intimidation of judicial officials moves to the field of direct and physical threats.
Deliberately burning the car of prosecutor Stojsavljević?
Stojsavljević stated that she felt anxious and feared for her personal safety and the safety of her family after her car burned in front of the building. According to her, on December 10, around four in the morning, the police rang the doorbell and informed her that the vehicle was on fire. Only after getting off in front of the building could she be sure that it was her car.
The very moment in which she realizes that the burning was probably intentional, as she says, was shocking, especially because, according to her interpretation, she had no conflicts, neither professionally nor privately, nor did she receive threats.
"The very fact that someone intentionally set fire to my car was incredible for me. When the fire was extinguished and I regained my composure, I started thinking about who and why could be behind it," Stojsavljević told Nova.
However, he does not speak about the motives and details of the proceedings initiated in connection with the arson, because he does not want to jeopardize the investigation.
Beating case
Stojsavljević confirms earlier media reports that a few hours after the incident, he should have heard the victim in the proceedings he is conducting regarding a case of beating. This information further strengthens the suspicion that this may not be an isolated event, but a targeted intimidation.
"After everything that happened, I can say that I feel that my safety, both my personal and that of my family, is at risk. The event has disturbed other colleagues from the prosecutor's office and the court, who also no longer feel safe," she added.
On the same day, the president of the High Prosecutor's Council Branko Stamenković and the chief prosecutor Zagorka Dolovac sent her support, who said that she would do everything to ensure protection for her and her family. However, no one from the Ministry of Justice contacted her.
"I have the impression that I need security at this moment, especially because of my family," concluded Stojsavljević.
Supreme Public Prosecutor Zagorka Dolovac and President of the High Prosecution Council Branko Stamenković they pointed out recently to the head of the EU Delegation to "attempts to exert undue influence on the holders of public prosecutor's offices".
Protest of judges and prosecutors in Subotica
The informal group of judges and prosecutors "Defense of the Profession" is organizing a protest on Saturday, December 13 in Subotica due to "constant and increasingly serious attacks on the judiciary".
The rally will begin at noon in front of the courthouse in Subotica.
The invitation states that "judges and prosecutors who act in accordance with the law, in addition to media attacks, labeling and undue influence of the executive power and interest groups, are increasingly facing attacks on personal safety and property".
As the last in a series of incidents, the burning of plaintiff Stojsavljević's car is mentioned, which, as it was emphasized, "threatened her safety and the safety of her family."
"What's next? The only thing left is that our lives are in danger because we're doing our job," the judges and prosecutors asked in a statement.
They also warn that the competent judicial authorities do not react to constant attacks on the holders of judicial functions, which is why, as they state, there is a danger that similar attacks can happen to anyone who performs his job in accordance with the law.
The organizers of the protest called on all judges and prosecutors, professional associations, lawyers and colleagues to show unity and solidarity by attending the protest and send a message that they do not agree to pressure and intimidation.
And the Syndicate of the Judiciary announced that on Monday, December 15, it will organize a 30-minute peaceful meeting in all judicial bodies of Serbia, as a sign of support for the female prosecutor from Subotica.
They stated that "the thirty-minute stay in the halls of judicial institutions represents a symbolic, peaceful and dignified response of the entire judicial system to violence, pressures and threats" and that "it is not a protest against anyone, but a public and intra-institutional message of solidarity, unity and defense of the basic values of the rule of law".
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