Šibenik Court President Resigns Day Before Supreme Court Chief Sought His Dismissal

Mirko Škarica is no longer the president of the Municipal Court in Šibenik, having submitted his resignation on July 1, 2026. His departure came just one day before the President of the Supreme Court, Mirta Matić, officially requested his dismissal from the State Judicial Council (DSV).

The court had come under intense scrutiny following the tragic death of 18-year-old Luka Milovac. Milovac was killed by Kristijan Aleksić, a man previously convicted of murder who was out on bail. This incident exposed significant systemic failures, including a two-year delay in processing a weapons possession and manufacturing indictment against Aleksić filed in 2023. The court initially cited a heavy caseload and staff shortages as reasons for the delay.

Following public outcry over Milovac's death, blame was initially shifted to two female judges at the Municipal Court, who are now facing disciplinary proceedings. Simultaneously, Mirta Matić, the President of the Supreme Court, initiated a supervision of the Šibenik court. The supervision uncovered numerous shortcomings, which the Supreme Court stated were the responsibility of Škarica, who had served as president since 2021.

The Supreme Court's report highlighted Škarica's failure to adequately organize the court's work, particularly after three judges were suspended. It also noted his insufficient monitoring of judges' performance, lack of timely case scheduling and assignment, and inaction on old, inactive cases. The report specifically pointed to serious organizational lapses in handling criminal cases, including Aleksić's indictment, where no judicial action was taken after it was confirmed in November 2023. Škarica's resignation preempted Matić's formal request to the DSV for his removal, which was scheduled for a session on July 16, 2026.