Ranko Debevec, the President of the Court of B&H, sent a denial today to the texts that were published on the portal and in the newspaper "Dnevni avaz".

We publish his reaction in full:

Scant enumerations

On date 20.01.2021. an article entitled "The Dark Face of the President of the Court of B&H Ranko Debevec" was published in the newspaper "Dnevni avaz" on the front page and page 4, as well as on the Internet portal at the address.

On date 21.01.2021. in the newspaper "Dnevni Avaz", on the front page and page 4, as well as on the Internet portal at the address, under the heading "CRIME", an article was published entitled "Shameful behavior of Ranko Debevec: President of the Court of B&H sent trainee questions and answers for the professional exam ".

On date 22.01.2021., in the newspaper "Dnevni Avaz", on the front page and page 2, as well as on the Internet portal at the address, under the heading "CORRUPTION", an article was published entitled "Hidden identity: Airline tickets for mistress and president Court of B&H ”.

The articles in question represent (a) pressure on the Court of B&H, (b) violation of the right to a ban on defamation, (c) insult due to the manner of writing against a person holding a judicial office, (d) violation of the right to speak before a text is published against a person , (e) violation of Art. 2, 3, 5, 7. of the Press and Online Media Code of B&H, relevant provisions of the Law on Protection against Defamation of the Federation of B&H ("Official Gazette of FB&H" No. 73Tako / 05), and provisions of the Law on Obligations "(,, SI. I. SFR.J "no. 29/78, 39/85, Tako45 / 89 and 57/89, ,, SI. I. RB IH" no. 2/92, 13/93 and 3/94), in part concerning the prohibition of insulting another and causing non-pecuniary damage.

I also point out that bringing untruths and insults to my account affects my health, both physically and mentally, and at the same time the ability to perform numerous daily professional and private duties.

In order to reduce the damage from defamation and insults, and to properly inform the public in terms of Article 15 of the Press and Online Media Code of B&H, I submit a request to the Portal immediately, and in print within 24 hours of receiving this request, on the front page and the same pages of newspapers, ie. in the same place on the Portal where the disputed articles were published, in integral form, including the title,to publish this denial:

"Dnevni avaz carries out media lynching of President Debevac and puts pressure on public authorities"

Dnevni avaz and its portal for a long time, day by day, have been doing my media lynching as the President of the Court of B&H, abusing the media as a means of discrediting me as President, while making insulting and untrue allegations. Such writing is not only an illegal act of these media, but also disrespect of the judiciary and illegitimate pressure on me and my colleagues.

Legal, professional and ethical rules of conduct in B&H oblige all journalists to allow every person who is written about the right to reply before publication, which Dnevni Avaz and its portal have never done, but have published articles without the opportunity to comment on any claims and statements. In this way, at the same time, the public is prevented from hearing the other side, which is one of the basic rules in a democratic society, so that everyone can create their own judgment on the topic being written about.

I am obliged to say that, as the President of the Court of B&H, I have never in any way abused my position, position of power, my influence or used public funds, the state budget or resources for private purposes. I finance all my private needs by myself. I deny that I have provided anyone with questions and answers for any type of exam, I deny that I have influenced anyone with my position. I will never be against my public engagement and work being publicly discussed, analyzed and criticized. But it is my constitutional right that my private life, including my emotional life, to be protected from the public like any other man in our state. Avaz illegally and unconstitutionally intrudes in my private life and exposes it to the public eye, unscrupulously twisting it in order to influence public opinion and create illegitimate pressure on public authorities.

This is a classic example of media abuse. This is a clear message from the people behind Avaz that no one, not even the highest judicial officials, can be sure that their privacy will not be exposed to the public the moment dissenters or opponents are hindered on the way to achieving their goals. Avaz does not choose the means.

He is asking for a public apology

Finally, for alleging that I committed criminal acts in the form of "abuse of position", "illegal spending of public funds","trading in influence", or "absolutely unfounded and flat insulting as a "predator", "abuser" and etc. I will seek my satisfaction before the competent court.

In order to reduce the damage caused to me in this way, it is additionally necessary for the editors of the newspaper "Dnevni avaz" and the portal "Dnevni avaz" to state through these media, after the place where the denial will be published, their apology for the untruths and insults - it is said in Debevec's reaction.