Appeals Court Confirms Acquittal in the “Coup d’État” Case
The Court of Appeal of Montenegro rejected the appeal filed by the Special State Prosecutor’s Office and upheld the July 2024 judgment of the High Court in Podgorica in the so-called “Coup d’État” case. By that decision, the current President of the Parliament of Montenegro Andrija Mandić and the leader of the opposition Milan Knežević, along with the other defendants, were acquitted of charges of forming a criminal organization and attempting terrorism.
“The Court of Appeal, contrary to the allegations raised in the appeal of the Special State Prosecutor’s Office, found that the first-instance court, in lawfully conducted proceedings, presented all evidence relevant to clarifying the criminal matter. Based on the assessment of each piece of evidence individually, as well as in their mutual connection and in relation to the arguments of the defence, and on the basis of a correctly and fully established factual situation, the court reached the correct conclusion that the proceedings did not prove that the accused committed the criminal offences charged,” the Court of Appeal stated.
It should also be recalled that on 19 January the Judicial Council of Montenegro noted that the presiding judge in the case and judge of the Court of Appeal, Vesna Moštrokol, had submitted her resignation.
Judicial Council Elects New Judges and Notes Retirement of High Court Judge
At its session on 10 February, the Judicial Council of Montenegro elected Aleksandra Tajić and Ana Mićović as judges of the Basic Court in Berane, and Emil Cikotić as a judge of the Basic Court in Bijelo Polje. At its subsequent session on 24 February, Zdravko Rajović, previously a judge of the Basic Court in Plav, was elected as a judge of the High Court in Bijelo Polje.
The Council also noted the termination of the judicial office of Rafija Kadić, a judge of the High Court in Bijelo Polje, due to her retirement upon fulfilling the conditions for pension.
In addition, the Council adopted the Report on the Implementation of the Judicial Council’s Budget for 2025, the Action Plan of the Communication Strategy for 2026, opinions on the Rulebooks on the Organisation and Systematisation of the courts in Ulcinj, Berane and Plav, and established a panel for the evaluation of judges of the Supreme Court.
New Communication Strategy for the Prosecution Service
The Supreme State Prosecutor’s Office of Montenegro has adopted a new Communication Strategy of the State Prosecutor’s Office and the Prosecutorial Council, which will remain in force until 2028. The strategy envisages improved cooperation with the media and a more proactive approach to informing the public on matters of public interest, while consistently respecting legal restrictions, the right to privacy, and the independence of the prosecution service.
“The goal is a more transparent, proactive and citizen-accessible State Prosecutor’s Office and Prosecutorial Council,” the Supreme State Prosecutor’s Office stated.
The document was prepared with the support of the Council of Europe through the project “Strengthening Accountability in the Judicial System and Enhancing Victims’ Rights in Montenegro.”
English