No grounds to initiate criminal proceedings against Milo Đukanović

(Patria) - The Higher Prosecutor's Office in Podgorica announced that there are no grounds to initiate proceedings against former Montenegrin President Milo Đukanović due to an interview he gave to Radio Antena M on April 24, reports RSE.

At the end of April, this prosecutor's office opened a case regarding the interview in which Đukanović, speaking about the arrests of current and former officials, stated that "Montenegrin society is a society of avengers" and that "it is dangerous when the only policy after coming to power becomes revenge".

- Because, whoever does what he is doing now, does not understand that he has started a new page of Montenegrin revenge. And he is very mistaken if, in the handcuffs he rejoices over, on the hands of other people, he does not recognize his own handcuffs tomorrow - Đukanović said at the time.

It was precisely this statement that the Prosecutor's Office analyzed and assessed that "there are no grounds for initiating criminal proceedings, for any criminal offense prosecuted ex officio".

In the same interview, in response to a journalist's question about whether he felt fear that he might be "targeted by revenge and arrests," Đukanović said that a very poisoned atmosphere prevails in the country, indicating that the "chase" in Montenegro will continue.

Đukanović was the leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) for three decades, a multiple-time prime minister, and president of the country twice.

His party lost power in the August 2020 elections, while he completed his term as President of Montenegro in May 2023 after losing the presidential elections.

Đukanović made the controversial statement commenting on his support for a petition demanding that former special prosecutor Milivoje Katnić be allowed to defend himself from freedom.

Katnić, who was arrested on April 14, was remanded in custody at the request of the Special Prosecutor's Office, which accuses him of abuse of office and participation in a criminal organization.

On the same day, former Assistant Police Director Zoran Lazović was arrested, and three days later, the Director of the Agency for Prevention of Corruption Jelena Perović, who was released to defend herself from freedom.

In the past two years, among others, the following have been arrested: former President of the Supreme Court Vesna Medenica, who is defending herself from freedom; President of the Commercial Court Blažo Jovanić; former police directors Veselin Veljović and Slavko Stojanović; Katnić's assistant in the Special Prosecutor's Office Saša Čađenović...

All of them were accused by the former opposition, and now the current government, of protecting Đukanović, people close to him, and DPS officials from their positions.