Kalinak Sees No Constitutional Issue in Changes on Cooperating Defendants

Bratislava, 14 January (TASR) – Defence Minister Robert Kalinak (Smer-SD) sees no constitutional problem in changes to the assessment of testimonies by cooperating defendants. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Kalinak added that he doesn't know why Prosecutor-General Maros Zilinka has appealed to the Constitutional Court. The defence minister pointed out that lawmakers have the right to amend laws. "Using a right that is guaranteed by the Constitution can't be called its misuse. If someone has the right to submit an amending proposal, even an entirely new bill, then they simply have that right," he said. Earlier on Wednesday, Prosecutor-General Zilinka appealed to the Constitutional Court over the amendment to the Criminal Code. Zilinka mainly objects to a change to the Criminal Code concerning the inadmissibility of evidence obtained from a cooperating defendant. He's seeking to suspend the effect of the challenged legal regulation. According to Justice Minister Boris Susko (Smer-SD), the amendment to the Criminal Code, which also changes the Criminal Procedure Code in the area of cooperating defendants, isn't bringing about a revolution but common sense and legal logic. In his view, the principles of justice remain preserved. The amendment has caught flak from the opposition, which claims that the legislation addresses the problems of the "mafia" and is intended to guarantee impunity for people who commit serious criminal activities. mf/df