Public prosecutor LencheRistoska said Thursday she has stepped down from her post after Chief Public Prosecutor NenadSaveski revoked her authority to represent several key cases that are in their final stages.
Ristoska complains of obstructions – both from institutions and those directed at her personally.
“Working on high-profile cases also creates high-profile enemies – those who use their power, influence and connections to avoid responsibility and distract you from your intention. This meant obstructions at various levels, institutional and personal. Over the years, you have witnessed many of these events: influencing witnesses, exerting pressure, changing legal solutions, keeping cases in a drawer and the statute of limitations on cases. All this did not prevent me from persisting in my efforts, so I publicly criticized the situation in the judiciary regardless of the socio-political context and without calculating the consequences for my career,”Ristoska said.
She sees the rejection of her complaint by the Council of Public Prosecutors as a particular problem.
“This week, the Council of Public Prosecutors rejected my complaint for an attack on my integrity and independence, and the Chief Public Prosecutor made a decision to withdraw the authorization to represent in key cases in the final phase. I believe that these decisions seriously weaken the position of the Public Prosecutor’s Office and carry specific risks for the outcome of cases targeting high-level corruption and crime,”addedRistoska.
