Judicial Chaos in Montenegro: Dropped Indictments and Who’s to Blame?
Montenegro’s justice system is in full-blown crisis mode! More and more indictments brought by prosecutors are being dismissed as legally unfounded. Yes, you read that right! People go through the hell of court trials, suffering psychological, professional, and reputational damage, only to have the charges fall apart like dominoes.
Courts in Collapse – Where Are the Judges?
To make matters worse, basic courts in Montenegro are in catastrophic shape. There is a shortage of 36 judges! Some courts operate with just one judge. Imagine how inefficient that is and how much justice is delayed or even denied.
Prosecutorial Council: Responsibility Exists, But…
The Prosecutorial Council claims responsibility exists only if there is a founded suspicion of disciplinary misconduct. There is a system monitoring prosecutors’ work quality, where the number of discontinued proceedings and dismissed indictments directly affects prosecutors’ evaluations. However, disciplinary responsibility cannot be triggered just because someone is unhappy with the outcome.
Lawyers Sound the Alarm: The System Destroys People!
Lawyers like Milan Vojinović, who represented defendants in the “Grahovo” case, warn that consequences for defendants remain even after acquittal. People have suffered terrible psychological and spiritual pain that money cannot compensate. The example of a respected official who spent eight years in detention before being acquitted shows how harsh and unfair the system is.
Particularly alarming is the practice of violating the presumption of innocence – people are detained, and the system never apologizes.
Political Pressure and a Deadlock
Vojinović points out that one of the main problems is political pressure on the judiciary. In the region, for example in Albania, about 30% of prosecutors resigned before vetting, while in Montenegro this is a rarity.
Political control also affects the selection of judges, often leading to appointments based on political agreement rather than merit and expertise. This creates a deadlock with no way out.
Judicial Council: Procedures Are Legal, But…
The Judicial Council acknowledges the alarming situation in basic courts but insists all judge selection procedures follow the law. Candidates who fail the interview cannot be on the ranking list. However, lawyers believe judges should be the most respected members of society, held to the highest standards of expertise and morality.
Citizens Left Without Answers or Satisfaction
When indictments fall, citizens are left without concrete answers or satisfaction. Regulations and mechanisms exist but are rarely applied in practice.
Conclusion: The System Is in Crisis, and People Suffer!
Montenegro’s judicial system is in deep crisis. Judge shortages, political pressure, disregard for the presumption of innocence, and ineffective disciplinary mechanisms lead to people suffering severe consequences without justice.
If you think this is just another boring story about the judiciary, think again. This is a story about people whose lives are destroyed, a system that doesn’t work, and politics meddling where it shouldn’t.
Got a similar story from your neck of the woods? Or think justice in Montenegro is just a pipe dream? Drop a comment and let’s see who else is caught in this mess!
