Serbia changes disputed court laws

Serbia has changed five court laws that critics said gave politicians too much control over judges and prosecutors.

Parliament passed the changes after pressure from the European Union and the Venice Commission, the Council of Europe body that reviews legal reforms.

The laws cover prosecutors, judges, court councils, court districts and cybercrime cases.

They were first passed in January and drew criticism from legal groups and the EU.

The Venice Commission said Serbia had accepted many of its recommendations, but not all.

The government says the remaining changes need more time.

Opposition MPs said Serbia could not claim to have independent courts until all recommendations were met.