Judiciary of Russia

A former Supreme Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) deputy head who was recently released from custody has accused the Gülenists and the government of bargaining over the division of the Turkish judiciary bodies and that they agreed on the number of Gülenist personnel to be appointed to the two institutions. 

The Council of State's general assembly issued a statement on Friday saying that recent public revelations concerning the private life of a high-ranking court official were aimed at exerting pressure on judges who are scheduled to decide on several high-profile issues in the next few weeks.

The Council of State's plenary session on Tuesday upheld appeals lodged by six television channels against a recent government auction of TV licenses, which left some channels without permits, as a rift between the Greek judiciary and the government appeared to grow.

A second session of the Council of State's plenary session on Friday, aimed at considering the appeals of television channels against a recent controversial auction of TV licenses, failed to achieve any progress amid growing tensions over the relationship between the judiciary and the government.

"Despite the small positive steps that have been made in the judiciary, the government continues to violate the presumption of innocence, citizens have no equel access to justice and the lack of transparency is omnipresent," Vasilic said on Monday.

Lawmakers have approved on a second reading legislative amendments that the government argues are paving the way for a major reform in the judicial system.

MPs have agreed to split the Supreme Judicial Council (VSS) into two colleges, one for judges and the other for prosecutors.

The Bulgarian government adopted at its regular meeting on Wednesday draft amendments to the Judicial System Act, which will be proposed for approval by parliament.

The proposals are coordinated with the adopted amendments to the constitution and implement the measures featured in the updated strategy for continuation of the judicial reform.

According to a draft of the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) report, the document will be most criticial towards the Supreme Judicial Council (VSS) and the prosecutor's office.

Initial reports suggested that the European Commission will be mostly positive in its assessment of Bulgarian reforms in justice and internal affairs.

According to the draft Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) report, the European Commission will be mostly positive in its assessment of Bulgarian reforms in justice and internal affairs.

The report, which will be officialy unveiled on Wednesday, is expected to be most critical towards the Supreme Judicial Council (VSS).

Who’s who: Vassiliki Thanou

Greek Supreme Court president Vassiliki Thanou is the first female prime minister of Greece, serving as a caretaker premier for what will be roughly a month in office.

She was sworn in on Thursday.