The Council, chaired by the President of the Court of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Branko Peric, is an independent body, whose authority is to appoint and replace judges and prosecutors in Bosnia as well as to protect the judiciary from any impact of political circles.
The Council, however, has no authority over the Bosnian Constitutional Court which recently turned down a request to replace Tadic, who is accused of abuse of office and bribery, together with Dragan Covic, a former Croat member of Bosnia's collective Presidency, law professor Zrdravko Lucic and four brothers Lijanovic, who are the owners and directors of the Lijanovici meat-processing company.
The Constitutional Court concluded last month that Tadic could be relieved of his duties as that court's president only after a final ruling found him guilty.
The international community's High Representative to Bosnia, Paddy Ashdown, recently fired Covic from the post of Bosnian Croat member in the country's three-man presidency after the Court of Bosnia-Herzegovina confirmed the indictment against him and the others in the said case.
The Council stated today that nothing should threaten the presumption of Tadic's innocence and that his rights must be respected.
However, with regard to the fact that his indictment has been confirmed by the Court of Bosnia-Herzegovina and with regard to the grave counts with which he is charged, the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council expresses concern over the decision of the Constitutional Court.