CROATIAN PARLIAMENT JUDICIARY COMMITTEE ON "ORTYNSKI CASE"

ZAGREB, July 2 (Hina) - The Croatian parliament judiciary committee on Monday said State Prosecutor Radovan Ortynski's statement about corruption in the Croatian judiciary was inappropriate, adding the delay of his oath-taking was necessary and justified, while Ortynski's apology was a moral act which could help overcome the negative effects on Croatia's judiciary. The committee neither discussed nor decided about replacing Ortynski because the establishment of his responsibility is within the government's competence. The committee is unanimous that Ortynski's comment on the Supreme Court decision to release two persons suspected of corruption in the judiciary was inappropriate and contrary to the rules of communication among senior judicial officials, president of the committee Luka Trconic said. The oath-taking would be inappropriate in such circumstances, therefore the postponement was necessary and justified, the committee believes. The majority of the committee members supported a conclusion that Ortynski's apology to Croatian judges and the Supreme Court President was a moral act which could help overcome the negative effects on Croatia's judiciary. Present at the session were parliament speaker Zlatko Tomcic and Supreme Court President Ivica Crnic, who is also an external member of the committee. A few days ago, Crnic demanded that the government voice its opinion on some of Ortynski's statements and acts. (hina) it