Montenegro - November 2024

The High Court in Podgorica sentenced the former President of the Supreme Court, Vesna Medenica, to six months in prison for abuse of office. The High Court ruled that Medenica had permitted a Basic Court judge, Milosav Zekić, to remain in office and avoid temporary suspension, despite Zekić’s criminal proceedings for allegations of causing physical injuries. Medenica, Supreme Court President since 2007, resigned in December 2020 after criticism by the European Commission and civil society over her third term, despite a two-term limit. Medenica was also accused of abuse of power and arrested in 2022 after transcripts revealed her son's involvement in drug and cigarette smuggling, with claims she was complicit. She was released after six-and-a-half months in custody to defend herself. In November, the Judicial Council elected Valentina Pavlicic as the new President, filling the post which had been vacant since 2020. 

Sources: Cafe del Montenegro, Balkan Insight (1), Balkan Insight (2), Balkan Insight (3), Vijesti, European Western Balkans