Huter: Raonić holds the record for the number of unlawful appointments, damage to the Public Broadcaster exceeds 200,000 euros; Božović: Wait for the final outcome of all proceedings

Every final and enforceable court decision must be respected, and any potential responsibility for its non-enforcement is determined in procedures prescribed by law and before competent authorities - said Minister of Justice Bojan Božović responding to a question from Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) MP Oskar Huter regarding the case of Radio and Television of Montenegro Director General Boris Raonić. He emphasized that it is important to wait for the final outcome of all proceedings related to this case.

Huter asked Minister Božović how he explains the fact that numerous final court rulings in Montenegro, specifically those concerning the unlawful appointment of Raonić, remain unenforced, which, he noted, directly undermines the rule of law and legal certainty for citizens.

- Do you consider such a situation to be evidence of institutional incapacity and state weakness? Who bears responsibility for the failure to enforce court decisions, and what concrete, urgent measures will you take to end the practice of rulings remaining a dead letter on paper - Huter asked.

Huter stated that the unlawfully appointed Director General of the Public Broadcaster Boris Raonić has long since become a record-holder for the number of unlawful appointments to a public office, and that a new first-instance ruling in the case brought by Slaven Knezović is yet another confirmation of institutional lawlessness.

- Despite multiple final rulings confirming that Raonić was unlawfully appointed as Director of Radio and Television of Montenegro, Mr. Raonić disregards them, and they have no effective impact - Huter said.

He added that we are also witnessing other unlawful actions reflected in the incitement of members of the Council of the Public Broadcaster not to comply with a High Court ruling, for which four members of this body were sentenced at first instance to seven months of suspended sentence.

- For almost four years, Raonić has been performing his function unlawfully, and the damage to the budget of the Public Broadcaster, i.e., to the citizens of Montenegro, exceeds 200,000 euros. In addition to material damage, Raonić’s unlawful appointment has become a regular part of the European Union’s annual reports on Montenegro - Huter stated.

Božović replied that he agrees that without respect for and enforcement of final court decisions, there can be no full rule of law or legal certainty for citizens.

- This is a principle from which there can be no deviation – Božović stressed.

Regarding the specific case, Božović said it is important to bear in mind that there is still no final legal resolution. As he noted, there have been previous court decisions in this case, including those establishing the unlawfulness of certain earlier appointments.

- Furthermore, recent decisions of the High Court in Podgorica from March 2026 show that in one case the first-instance ruling was quashed and the case returned for retrial, while in another case the first-instance decision was overturned and the claim dismissed. In addition, as you know, in the criminal proceedings against some members of the Public Broadcaster Council there is a first-instance judgment, but that proceeding has not been finally concluded – Božović said.

In such a procedural situation, he added, it would be inappropriate and improper for the Minister of Justice to comment on the merits of a case that has not yet been finally resolved, or to prejudge the outcome of ongoing proceedings.

- This would not be in line with the principle of separation of powers, nor with the obligation of restraint of the executive branch in relation to judicial proceedings, nor in relation to the work of a body that enjoys undeniable autonomy - Božović emphasized.

However, he clearly stated that every final and enforceable court decision must be respected, and that any responsibility for its non-enforcement is determined in legally prescribed procedures before the competent authorities.

- For this very reason, I believe it is important to wait for the final outcome of all proceedings related to this case. The Ministry of Justice remains committed to the position that the rule of law can only be built through respect for court decisions, strengthening legal certainty, and full respect for the institutional competences of every body within the system - Božović concluded.