I Wrote the Closing Argument Despite Everything A prosecutor details her extensive work on complex organized crime cases, including a significant cocaine seizure, and highlights her role in setting legal standards used by European courts. Despite achieving major results and international cooperation, she is removed from finalizing a key case, questioning the system’s criteria for success and its arbitrary changes. She contrasts this with the philosophy of Giovanni Falcone, who believed results should be recognized by what is done, not by who delivers the final word.

• The author was set to deliver closing arguments in a complex organized crime case involving a large cocaine seizure, in a courtroom named after Giovanni Falcone.
• She led the investigation, international cooperation, and prosecution of this case, which represents a major ‘live’ seizure of narcotics in Serbia.
• Despite her extensive involvement, she was removed from the prosecutor’s office and will not deliver the closing argument, prompting questions about the system’s evaluation of results.
• The author highlights her involvement in three of the largest drug seizures in Serbian judicial history (marijuana, cocaine), and successful international cooperation leading to money laundering investigations across Europe.
• She questions the criteria used by the system, suggesting that instead of recognizing results like large seizures, international cooperation, and established legal standards, changes are being made that dismantle effective processes.
• The article critiques the system’s focus on who delivers the final word rather than the actual work and results achieved in combating organized crime.