politics
March 16, 2026
Defense of Oskar
Europe is too familiar with the various tricks used by certain states to dismiss and transfer judges and prosecutors outside the prescribed procedure under the guise of judicial reform.
TL;DR
- Serbia and Albania are seeking accelerated integration into the EU's internal market and Schengen Zone, without full political membership.
- The proposed judicial reforms in Serbia are seen as an attempt to regain political control over the judiciary, particularly prosecutors.
- Changes to the prosecution service, including the status of the High-Tech Crime Prosecutor's Office and the mandate of organized crime prosecutors, have been implemented.
- The reforms have led to the blocking of investigations into politically sensitive cases, such as 'Canopy', 'Balkan Cartel', and a large marijuana seizure.
- Serbia's new provisions for international judicial cooperation, requiring consent from the Ministry of Justice, contradict the 2019 agreement with Eurojust.
- The suspension of the liaison prosecutor to Eurojust has hindered cooperation and jeopardized investigations into around 200 cases, including nine involving 'high-value targets'.
- The EU has repeatedly called on Serbia to halt and withdraw these controversial laws, but implementation is proceeding rapidly.
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