Ranko Debevac dismissed as President of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina

The High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (VSTV) of Bosnia and Herzegovina has issued a final decision to suspend disciplinary proceedings against Ranko Debevac, the former President of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The suspension follows Debevac's resignation from his positions as President and judge on August 20, 2026.

The decision confirms a previous ruling by the First-Instance Disciplinary Commission, which found Debevac disciplinarily responsible for failing to follow regulations regarding the automated case management system in 16 different cases over a period of at least one year and nine months. The VSTV stated that his actions constituted “any other behavior that represents a serious violation of official duty or calls into question public trust in the impartiality and credibility of the judiciary.”

In addition to the disciplinary findings, Debevac faces criminal proceedings before the Special Department for Corruption, Organized and Inter-cantonal Crime of the Supreme Court of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The criminal charges include abuse of office or authority, forgery of official documents, bribery or influence peddling, unauthorized wiretapping and recording, false representation, and violations of the Law on Gender Equality in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The continuation of his criminal trial is scheduled for October 28.