November 15, 2024
Based on a request of the Supreme Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Supreme Court of Serbia has launched proceedings for the protection of legality with regard to the verdict in the case of the 1999 murder of journalist Slavko Ćuruvija.
The request was lodged in response to violations of the law. This relates to an extraordinary legal remedy that can determine illegal moves made during the procedure, but cannot overturn the verdict that was passed in February by the Court of Appeal and resulted in the acquittals of four members of the State Security Department who were accused of organising and carrying out Ćuruvija’s murder.
The request for the protection of legality was lodged due to the second-instance court having either violated or misapplied the provisions of the law on the examination of witnesses, particularly in the case of the testimonies of those witnesses who indicated that a connection existed between the defendants and the crime. Those witnesses didn’t repeat their testimony in subsequent proceedings, as they were concerned for their personal safety, as well as the safety of their families, says Veran Matić, Chairman of the Commission for the Investigation of Murders of Journalists. He announced that the request to assess legality had also been submitted in response to the Court of Appeal having incorrectly interpreted the statements of certain witnesses, to the benefit of the accused.
As a reminder, the accused and subsequently acquitted members of the state secret services are suing the Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation over its announcement expressing discord regarding the acquittal verdict. They are seeking compensation for defamation.
