Key legal question
Whether the refusal to replace the appointed defence counsel was unlawful or arbitrary.
Extracted holding
A change of appointed counsel is justified only exceptionally, when objective circumstances show that effective defence is no longer ensured; subjective loss of trust is insufficient.
Extracted reasoning
The record did not show any serious misconduct by counsel. The appellant's allegations of threats and lies were unsupported, and counsel's warnings about procedural consequences did not amount to coercion or breach of duty. The appellant's refusal to cooperate and accept advice did not create a constitutional right to substitution.