Radović warns: An indictment is not proof that someone is guilty

President of the High Court Zoran Radović warned that an indictment in itself is not proof that someone is guilty and that a number of procedural steps must be completed before a final judgment is reached.

He made the remarks at the „Corruption in Montenegro“ panel discussion held in Podgorica.

- Publishing photographs of arrested individuals in this way amounts, to some extent, to a violation of the presumption of innocence. The court’s aim is not to convict anyone, but to act on the basis of evidence and deliver a valid judgment - Radović said.

He said that the High Court had made progress in handling cases before its Special Department, noting that convictions had already been handed down against some judges and prosecutors, while proceedings against some public officials were in their final stages.

- If a final judgment does not result in the confiscation of illegally acquired assets, then we have achieved nothing - Radović said.

He expects amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code to speed up proceedings and contribute to a more favourable public perception of the work of the courts.

Božović: I did not say the adopted anti-mafia law was historic

Minister of Justice Bojan Božović said that institutions need to be strengthened, as does public awareness of the mechanisms available within the state, in order to achieve serious results.

- Some of my colleagues said that the adopted anti-mafia law was historic. I did not say that. However, the fact that it was adopted is in itself historic. It is very important that it creates the basis for the confiscation of assets from the moment an indictment is confirmed - Božović said.

He stressed that this had not resolved all the challenges, explaining that the aim had been to improve the existing legal framework as much as possible while avoiding conflicts with the European Commission, as there had been differing opinions regarding the proposal.

- I believe a step forward has been made. It is important that we now have provisions addressing the illicit enrichment of public officials and the lifting of immunity for members of the Government - Božović said.

He added that amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code would enable courts to act more efficiently and swiftly, noting that the problem had been the small number of final convictions.

- I will be satisfied when the prosecution and other authorities are satisfied with the implementation of these solutions - Božović said.