Prazenkova: Jankovska Should Consider Suspension as Judge
Bratislava, October 4 (TASR) – Judge Monika Jankovska should consider submitting a proposal to the justice minister to suspend her from the role of judge, said Judicial Council Chair Lenka Prazenkova on Friday, adding that she should do so in order to maintain public confidence in the judiciary, its impartiality and independence, TASR learnt from spokeswoman for the Judicial Council Office Veronika Muller on the same day.
At the same time, Prazenkova condemned corruption in the Slovak judiciary.
“Judicial Council Chair Lenka Prazenkova strongly condemns any corrupt behaviour in the Slovak judiciary. She considers corruption among judges to be an absolutely unacceptable situation against which action must be taken without any compromises,” reads the statement of the Judicial Council on publicised alleged communications between Marian K., charged with ordering the murder of journalist Jan Kuciak, and former Justice Ministry state secretary Monika Jankovska, who was nominated to the post by the governing Smer-SD party.
Prazenkova also said that if the law-enforcement bodies confirm that the information in the communications presented by the media is authentic, charges against specific people should follow. This view was also declared by Justice Minister Gabor Gal (Most-Hid) on Thursday (October 3). In the event of an indictment, Gal may file a motion for temporary suspension of the office of judge, which will be decided on by a disciplinary senate within ten days of submission.
“Until the investigation is completed, that is, without confirmation that the communications are authentic, the Judicial Council chair doesn’t have the power to take any measures in relation to the performance of the office of judge,” reads the statement of the Judicial Council.
A transcript of communications published by daily Dennik N indicated that Jankovska and Marian K. attempted to influence judges who were making decisions in the so-called TV Markiza promissory notes case when it was still considered to be a civil dispute. The civil proceedings were halted when both Marian K. and former Markiza general director Pavol R. were charged with forging the promissory notes and obstructing justice. Jankovska denies that the communications are authentic.
