Justice Minister: Harabin Should Give Up His Role of Judge

Bratislava, October 2 (TASR) - Supreme Court judge Stefan Harabin should give up his post of judge, said Justice Minister Gabor Gal (Most-Hid) after the Cabinet session on Wednesday in reaction to Harabin's announcement on Tuesday (October 1) that he's founding a political party called Homeland ('Vlast' in Slovak). "Judges should decide whether they want to sit as judges or engage in politics," noted Gal. According to him, the law on judges and associate judges states that a judge can't be a member of a political party or political movement, or be engaged in politics in any way. "I hope that Judge Harabin knows the law and will behave accordingly," he stated. Harabin told a news conference on Tuesday that he is the election leader of Homeland. He didn't answer when asked by journalists whether he'll remain in the post of judge. An amendment to the law that will take effect on October 15 will debench judges who run for their national legislatures or the European Parliament. ko/df