Prosecutor Lipšic: Žilinka came to his senses too late, I will not forget how he sidelined the best colleagues
Prosecutor Lipšic criticizes legislative changes that undermine the use of testimony from cooperating defendants, emphasizing the importance of their reliability in tackling organized crime and corruption.
In a recent statement, Prosecutor Lipšic conveyed strong criticism regarding a new law rendered ineffective by the constitutional court that prohibited the use of testimonies from cooperating defendants if they had previously lied in other circumstances. Lipšic noted the importance of allowing the judicial system to assess the credibility of evidence rather than allowing the legislative body to interfere in the independence of the judiciary. He highlighted that former testimonies should not disqualify a witness's reliability in current cases, particularly in the context of organized crime where cooperation is often crucial to prosecution efforts.
Lipšic further elaborated on the implications of the court's decision, stating that the legislative amendments had threatened the foundations of uncovering organized crime and serious corruption in Slovakia. By placing such limitations on the admissibility of testimonies from defendants who may have had past transgressions, the legislation essentially hindered the capacity to address serious offenses effectively. Lipšic viewed this ruling as a significant victory for the rule of law in Slovakia, emphasizing that it is essential to ensure that the judicial process remains safeguarded against legislative overreach.
In closing, Prosecutor Lipšic asserted that it is critical for the judicial authority to maintain autonomy in evaluating evidence, particularly testimonies from those cooperating with the prosecution. He underscored the dangers posed by legislative decisions that can undermine ongoing investigations and the fight against organized crime, indicating that the legislative body must respect the judicial process to foster an effective justice system.