The Serbian Lawyers’ Forum has publicly demanded the immediate resignation of the President of the High Prosecutorial Council (VST), Branko Stamenković, due to his shocking silence and inaction while public prosecutors are being brutally attacked and harassed through media and social networks. Yes, you read that right – while the heads of the judiciary in Belgrade literally have targets drawn on them, and threats of lynching, physical violence, and even murder become daily occurrences, Stamenković sits idly by! The Lawyers’ Forum makes it clear: such behavior is not only unprofessional but directly undermines the integrity and independence of the judiciary in Serbia.
The Forum’s statement highlights that for days now, portals like Nova.rs have been publishing articles hinting at the existence of a politically motivated network controlling judges and prosecutors. This “mapping” of personal data and family ties of judicial officials not only undermines trust in the judiciary but also spreads doubt about its impartiality. Worst of all, the VST president does not react even when direct threats are made against the Chief Public Prosecutor in Belgrade, Nenad Stefanović, who has long been the target of a brutal witch-hunt led by interest-linked media and anonymous extremists on social networks.
The Lawyers’ Forum does not mince words: Stamenković’s silence is not accidental. While he previously promptly reacted to alleged violations of the prosecutor’s office’s reputation by certain media, he now shows selective political calculation, ignoring attacks on prosecutors he personally dislikes. This, they say, clearly indicates that he does not represent an independent council but interests outside of it. Such behavior calls into question the legitimacy of the entire institution and damages the reputation of the public prosecutor’s office.
If the VST president cannot or will not protect his prosecutors from systematic attacks and threats, then it is time for him to go! The Serbian Lawyers’ Forum calls for the immediate resignation of Branko Stamenković and demands that the judiciary be freed from political pressures and selectivity. Because justice must not be a toy in the hands of the powerful, and prosecutors must not be targets of lynching and threats. If you have something to say about this scandal, feel free to drop a comment – maybe your word will spark something big!
