The First-Instance Disciplinary Commission of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina (HJPC) has decided to dismiss Ranko Debevec from his positions as President and judge of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He has the right to challenge this ruling by appealing to the HJPC’s Second-Instance Disciplinary Commission.
The Disciplinary Commission held Debevec accountable for neglecting, over a span of at least one year and nine months, his responsibility to ensure, oversee, and monitor the correct automated assignment of 16 court cases. This failure constituted a violation of his official duties and weakened public trust in the judiciary’s impartiality and credibility, according to a statement from the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC).
At the same time, is facing separate criminal proceedings before the Special Department of the Supreme Court of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He faces multiple charges, including abuse of office, accepting benefits for influence peddling, falsifying official documents, and illegally intercepting and recording communications.
Removal from judicial office is an uncommon disciplinary measure. From 2010 to 2026, only seven judges were dismissed as a result of disciplinary actions. Details about these cases are accessible to the public through the Centre for Investigative Reporting (CIN) database titled „Disciplinary Proceedings against Judges and Prosecutors.“
