THE OFFICE of the Judicial Council halted the expensive order for delivering the Dimenzie (Dimensions) magazine which promoted its former chair and ex-president of the Supreme Court Štefan Harabin. The decision came after the Sme daily broke the story about the non-standard deal paid from state money on January 23.
The published invoices suggest that over the years 2012-2014 the Judicial Council ordered 125 copies of the lesser-known magazine whose content does not even relate to judiciary every month. It paid altogether more than €10,000. The monthly invoice was €375, and in one case even €435, Sme reported. The cooperation started in October 2010 when the council was chaired by Harabin and was composed of most of his supporters, the daily wrote.
In January, the council changed the order and got only one copy for €3.
“The change to the number of copies of the Dimenzie magazine will allow the Office of the Judicial Council to purchase professional and influential periodicals,” the council’s press department informed, as quoted by Sme.
The December issue, as reported by Sme, contained a 10-page interview with Harabin who verbally attacked some politicians and judges, including new Judicial Council Chair Jana Bajánková. It also published his photo on the front page.
Judge Elena Berthotyová, nominee of President Andrej Kiska, proposed to scrap the order entirely. The Judicial Council will vote on the proposal on January 27, Sme wrote.
Source: Sme
Compiled by Radka Minarechová from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
