On Monday, the Justice Minister Gabor Gal (Most-Hid) filed a motion to launch disciplinary proceedings against Bratislava Regional Court judge Monika Jankovská,-his deputy until her resignation in early September- and Supreme Court judge and former Justice Minister Štefan Harabin. Jankovská is accused of violating a judge's duty to meet the prerequisites for judicial competence during the whole term in office. She faces disciplinary proceedings for lying about meeting a high profile lawyer at his holiday home. The former Deputy Justice Minister resigned from her post at the Ministry and returned to being a judge after the Dennik N daily released alleged chat transcripts between her and shady businessman Marian Kočner which indicate that together they corrupted judges presiding over a promissory notes case, on which he based a €70 million claim. Jankovská is currently on sick leave and refuses to speak to the media. Meanwhile the Justice Minister deems that "the above disciplinary action doesn't contradict potential criminal proceedings". Potential criminal prosecution might relate to other acts of the judge.
In the case of the Štefan Harabin , the justice minister initiated a disciplinary action against him due to his 'active political activities', which contradict a judge's legal duty. In early October, Harabin held a news conference to announce that he was the election leader of the Vlast party. Harabin, who had temporarily suspended his activity as a judge to unsuccessfully run for the post of Slovak president early this year, but returned to active duty afterwards, did not reply to journalists' question on what he would do this time.
