Dobrovodsky: External Pressure on Prosecution Service Warning for Rule of law

Bratislava, 9 September (TASR) - The external pressure on the prosecution service serves as a warning regarding the rule of law, Public Ombudsman Robert Dobrovodsky stated in response to claims made on Tuesday (8 September) by Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) and other representatives of the executive and legislative branches against the Prosecutor General's Office and its representatives, TASR has learnt from Dobrovodsky's post on social media. "Criticism of decisions by any public authority is legitimate in a democratic society. However, external pressure on a constitutional body simply because its stances or decisions don't align with those of the executive branch can't be considered legitimate," he stated, adding that the prosecution service isn't subordinate to the government. "The Constitutional Court of the Slovak Republic has also noted in its case law that the prosecution service isn't part of the executive branch, but a special constitutional body of legal protection," stated Dobrovodsky. No branch of state power can expect the prosecution service, the ombudsman, the courts, or other independent constitutional institutions to act according to its wishes, said Dobrovodsky, adding that the true test is whether such institutions are respected even when their stances or decisions aren't in line with the wishes of another branch of power. At a press conference held on Tuesday (8 September), Fico called on Prosecutor-General Maros Zilinka to resign from his post, stating that he wants to create pressure through evidence and arguments that would force Zilinka to consider whether it's appropriate for him to remain at the head of the prosecution service. Fico claimed that developments within the prosecution service are being influenced by the fact that Zilinka is a nominee of the current opposition. According to Fico, Zilinka should resign from his post because of failures and his inability to fulfil the duties of the prosecutor-general. Fico added that if he remains in office as premier, he'll create the conditions for preparing and approving a comprehensive reform of the prosecution service. Zilinka intends to remain in his post until the end of his term. He said that Fico is mistaken in claiming that he's an obstacle to restoring trust in the rule of law. The chief prosecutor added that he has faced a long-standing effort to seize control of the Prosecutor General's Office and its bodies. jrg/df