Skopje, 28 July 2021 (MIA) – The Judicial Council is ahead of the Council of Public Prosecutors in terms of dismissing judges. Unlike the public prosecution office and the Council of Public Prosecutors, which haven’t dismissed a single public prosecutor in the past two years, except the special public prosecutor Katica Janeva, the Judicial Council in 2021 alone has dismissed seven judges. Asked by MIA’s reporter how realistic are reforms in the judicial system if there are no changes noted in terms of public prosecution offices, Justice Minister Bojan Marichikj stated that the Council of Public Prosecutors and the public prosecution office in general needed to demonstrate increased dynamic involving the methodology for evaluating the work of public prosecutors and seeking accountability. “The dynamic is evidently different with 16 judges dismissed in two years, including seven this year and there is not a single case about public prosecutors,” he told reporters stressing that the Council of Public Prosecutors needed to make more efforts. At a press briefing, Minister Marichikj announced the international monitoring of 50 high corruption and organized crime cases. The government, he said, requested international trial monitoring two years ago. “We’re glad that the project will start in order to restore public trust and the strong points and weaknesses in the judicial system to be identified allowing us to view some cases more objectively,” Marichikj stated. Also, the Minister briefed reporters about amendments to several bills, including changes to the law on the Academy of Judges and Public Prosecutors. Under them, legal criteria are introduced about the structure of the bodies managing the Academy of Judges and Public Prosecutors. He added that entry and final exam will be reorganized so as to leave more space for practical knowledge. Changes to the Criminal Code cover several areas, he announced. “Firstly, implementation of the convention on prevention and fight against women, including domestic violence. Intervention into crimes related to the safety of journalists, amending certain provisions on confiscation,” said Marichikj. As regards the Istanbul Convention, changes will be implemented to the Criminal Code involving sexual assault and rape, whereas stalking will be established as felony.