Fico: I Don't Question Powers of Prosecutor-General

Bratislava, 14 January (TASR) – Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) has said that he doesn't question the constitutional powers of Prosecutor-General Maros Zilinka when reacting to Zilinka's decision to appeal to the Constitutional Court over the amendment to the Criminal Code. "If anyone has the option to submit a motion to the Constitutional Court, then they can submit it. If anyone has the option to collect 350,000 signatures and call a referendum on something, then they can call it. I cannot question the constitutional powers of the prosecutor-general," said Fico on Wednesday. According to him, it's possible that the court may suspend the effect of the law via an injunction. Earlier on Wednesday, Zilinka appealed to the Constitutional Court over the amendment to the Criminal Code, proposing that proceedings regarding the compliance of legal regulations with the Constitution should be launched. He mainly objects to a change to the Criminal Procedure Code concerning the inadmissibility of evidence obtained from a cooperating defendant, and he's seeking for the effect of the challenged regulation to be suspended. The amendment has also been criticised by the opposition, which says the legislation is designed to make life easier for the "mafia" and is intended to guarantee impunity for people who commit serious criminal offences. mf/df