Thanks to the decisions of the judicial authorities, Montenegro continues to maintain the image of a captive state in which those who investigate corruption and organized crime are still prosecuted, while the leaders of international drug cartels are released.
The decision of the Appellate Court, which confirmed the verdict against journalist Jovo Martinović, is a proof of the captivity of the judiciary and a direct attack on media freedom in Montenegro, but also an open message to all those journalists who dare to do investigative work in this country.
MANS is particularly worried that after murders and attempted murders, beatings and destruction of property, private lawsuits by tycoons and criminals, Montenegrin judiciary is closing the vicious circle with criminal prosecution of journalists just because they do their job, targeting them as associates of criminal organizations.
On the other hand, for decades, there has not been any serious intention of the state bodies to protect the journalistic profession from continuous attacks, and to send the message that are concrete actions behind empty rhetoric.
The confirmation of Martinović’s verdict comes from the same judiciary in which no one was responsible for the acquittals in the cases of Kalić and Šarić, which is the direct cause of the situation in which it is today – without liability, politicized and captured by interests that are in conflict with the public interests.
Now that a precedent has been set with Martinović, journalists, but also all others who dare to deal with the detection of corruption and organized crime, can expect the continuation of this practice. In that sense, it is completely unrealistic to expect the much-needed reforms in Montenegrin judiciary to be carried out by staff who are ready to sentence investigative journalists in this way.
MANS
