Serbian Council Withdraws Warning Issued to Miskovic Judge

A former judge who controversially returned a passport to the Serbian tycoon Miroslav Miskovic, so that he could travel to the UK, has welcomed the decision of the High Judicial Council to withdraw the public warning it issued to him in 2015.

"I expected this decision. No one is stronger than the truth. However, it's a bit sad, because so much has changed since," Vladimir Vucinic - who now works as a lawyer - told the daily newspaper Danas on Wednesday.

The Council, which monitors judicial impartiality, withdrew its public warning to Vucinic, issued in 2015, when it accused Vucinic of a disciplinary violation, for "giving comments on court decisions, actions or cases, in the media in a manner contrary to the law and the rules of court".

At the end of 2015, Vucinic was removed from the special chambers of the Higher Court, which deal with organised crime, corruption and war crimes. At the time, many believed the transfer of judge Vucinic was related to his decision in December 2013 to give Miskovic back his passport during his trial for alleged involvement in organised crime.

The former judge of the Special Court issued a decision to temporarily return the passport to the controversial businessman and owner of Delta Holding. Miskovic then left Serbia for the UK, although he later returned to face a court verdict.

Vucinic had demanded the annulment of the measure, saying he "wanted to preserve the dignity of the judicial profession and the right to freedom of expression".

After the Serbian Progressive Party led by Aleksandar Vucic won the general election in May 2012 on promises to tackle crime and corruption in Serbia, on December 12, Miskovic was arrested and charged with illegally earning more than 30 million euros...