GREDELJ SAYS JUDICIAL COUNCIL DECISION IS RIGGED PROCESS

ROVINJ, Sept 28 (Hina) - The president of the Croatian Judges' Association (UHS) maintains that the State Judicial Council (DSV) decision stripping him of immunity is a rigged process, and that this case is not based on charges but a defamatory pamphlet. The DSV decided by a majority vote on Thursday to strip Vladimir Gredelj of immunity and approve of prosecution on suspicion that he abused his authority and encouraged others to abuse authority and office. The decision was made at the request of the State Prosecutor's Office. Immunity does not protect judges and court presidents from "rigged processes", Gredelj, who is also president of the Bjelovar County Court, told reporters today. "Frankly, I can't wait for state prosecutor Radovan Ortynski to issue the charges so that I can respond to them as soon as possible and give the Croatian public a chance to conclude what this is all about," said the UHS president. Asked if the accusations were Ortynski's retaliation for Gredelj's attempt to prevent the appointment of Ortynski as president of the DSV, Gredelj said that at the end of his trial, which he thinks will wrap up within a month, he expected someone would ask Ortynski "if it is fair to wage his private war against (Gredelj) at the expense of the taxpayers." (hina) ha sb