Ministry Respects Court's Decision on Judge Kliment, Rejects his Allegations

Bratislava, 28 April (TASR) - The Justice Ministry respects the decision of the Supreme Administrative Court that judge Juraj Kliment will stay on the bench, TASR was told by the ministry's press department on Tuesday. The ministry considers Kliment's reaction, in which he described the disciplinary motion as an "act of revenge", as well as his further attacks, to be inappropriate and rejects them. It underlined that the court found Kliment guilty in some part of the disciplinary case. "The basis for filing the disciplinary motion also included a ruling of the Constitutional Court, which cannot be ignored and had to be taken into account when assessing the judge's conduct. The ministry firmly rejects claims that filing a disciplinary motion constitutes harassment or intimidation of judges. The justice minister exercises his legal authority to file such motions whenever he is convinced that relevant grounds exist. It is not the minister who decides on such motions, but an independent and impartial disciplinary panel of the court," the ministry said. According to the ministry, such a procedure cannot be regarded as interference in judicial independence. On the contrary, it is a legitimate and legally utilised tool to ensure judicial accountability. "At the same time, judges are not untouchable and are subject to the same principles of accountability as other holders of public office. This is precisely why the legal system allows disciplinary motions to be filed in cases where there is suspicion of a breach of duties," the ministry added, underlining that it acts strictly within the law. Judge of the Supreme Court Juraj Kliment will remain in office, the Supreme Administrative Court ruled on Tuesday. It dismissed as unfounded the appeal of Justice Minister Boris Susko (Smer-SD), who had sought his debenching. The decision of the appellate panel is final. mf