Two people from Podgorica detained for violation of temporary measures had to share a bed for two nights, there is no lighting in seven detention rooms, in three the taps are not working, the mattresses and blankets are not sufficiently clean or ventilated.
In addition, there are not enough blankets in the detention facilities of the Podgorica Security Center, and there are not enough covers on the mattresses.
This was stated by the president of the Council for Citizen Control of Police Work, Aleksandar Saša Zeković, after, as he claims, on April 11, 2020, from 19 to 21.30:XNUMX p.m., he stayed at the Podgorica Central Police Station, in order to control the respect for human rights in the application of police powers.
Zeković announced after the visit that the Council is concerned about the fact that since the last visit and the publicly presented report, almost nothing has been done to improve conditions of detention.
"It is particularly worrisome that the epidemic situation of an infectious disease was met in such conditions. "For the sake of protecting the interests of citizens and the reputation of the state of Montenegro, the Council calls on the Government and the Property Administration to start improving the situation without further delay," Zeković said.
He stated that the lighting was not functioning in most of the detention rooms and that the detained persons were staying in the dark.
"Light bulbs did not work in rooms 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, and 10. Faucets did not work in rooms 4, 7, and 8. Mattresses and blankets were not sufficiently clean or ventilated. There were not enough blankets, and the mattresses were without appropriate covers. There was no soap in the men's room. The council also registered the fact that two detainees shared one bed in the detention room. The elder on duty was warned about this unacceptable fact and that regardless of the background and explanation, all detained persons should be provided with dignified treatment", Zeković said.
Responding to the claims of Nataša Đurić from Podgorica that her 20-year-old son Aleksa Kolčević, after being detained for violating NKT measures, stayed in the concrete mixer and the premises of the Police Directorate without protection and with XNUMX other persons, the Police Directorate announced that they follow all the regulations of the Institute for Public Health ( IJZ), which "Vijesti" published yesterday.
"The police undertakes activities within their jurisdiction exclusively in accordance with the recommendations of the Health and Safety Authority, in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and to protect both officers and citizens staying in official premises. When it comes to the past few days, when a large number of people were detained in Podgorica for violating the NKT measures for infectious diseases, we inform you that all procedures have been followed in order to provide the detained citizens with a safe stay in official premises".
They added that the Podgorica Security Center has ten detention units.
"Eight detention units housed one person each, and two larger detention units housed three, and the other five persons. Larger rooms meet the square footage standards for the specified number of people and they housed people from the same events, and they had the opportunity to respect social distance in these rooms. In the event that the existing capacities are not sufficient, as was the case during this week, the police, in accordance with the Rulebook on the manner of performing certain police duties and the application of authority in the performance of such duties, may secure detained persons in other premises as well."
Zeković states that on Saturday evening at CB Podgorica, he spoke with nine of the total eleven persons who were in the detention facilities and checked the documentation for seven of them.
"Four citizens pointed out several remarks related to the conditions for the stay of detained persons. The Council was immediately convinced that some of the objections were founded. Maintaining the hygiene of detention rooms and sanitary facilities is difficult during the weekend. As the area is being used more intensively due to non-compliance with the temporary measures, it is necessary to adjust the cleaning regime accordingly", said the President of the Council to "Vijesta".
He pointed out that a person with a disability (PWD) was also in police custody that night - in a special room designed for the detention of these persons.
That detained citizen had no objections to the actions of the police:
"And during the visit, he requested a consultation with a doctor, which was made possible by the arrival of the Emergency Medical Services (HMP) team."
The council concluded that there were no allegations of abuse and torture by the police, but that everyone who needed medical help received it with the arrival of the HMP team. It was also explained that the doctors from the Emergency Department, upon being called, intervened several times in relation to the same detained persons.
After visiting the detention facilities in the security departments of Cetinje and Danilovgrad, the Council sent a letter to the Supreme State Prosecutor Ivica Stanković, urging him to consider the practice of intensive detention of citizens arrested for the criminal offense of not complying with health regulations for the prevention of a dangerous infectious disease.
A few days ago, the council assessed that the "concrete mixer" in Cetinje is not suitable for a person to stay, and yesterday that the detention facilities in the Danilovgrad police station must be urgently improved.
Police officers disinfect beds, chairs, sinks...
The Council assessed that the behavior of police officers towards detained persons is legal and professional, and that police officers are responsible for issues of health and risk management during detention.
"All detained persons had access to food, while respecting religious beliefs was also taken into account. Detained persons are properly informed about the protection of their rights during detention," said Zeković.
He noted that detention staff are familiar with the latest guidelines of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT).
"The Director of the Police Administration (Veselin Veljović) delivered to all organizational units the CPT statement on principles regarding the treatment of persons deprived of liberty in the context of the coronavirus pandemic and it is prominently displayed in the official office of the detention facilities. On the spot, the Council issued a recommendation to enable appropriate more frequent contact, at least twice a day, between the detained person and his family".
The Council stated that all police officers had personal protective equipment and that the office had a sufficient amount of disinfectant used to clean all flat and metal surfaces.
"The council is convinced that the wiping of doors, handrails, bed frames, chairs and sinks is done by police officers after the release of the detained person, after which they prepare the premises for further reception and stay".
Do not order detention at all costs - it is healthier
Zeković explained that the Council decided to turn to Stanković because of overcrowding, inadequate conditions, epidemic conditions and intense pressure on the police.
"The Council appreciates that the VDT should consider sending guidelines or instructions to all state prosecutors - that detention is undertaken as an exceptional measure in order to support efforts to protect health, control risks and prevent prolonged stays of detainees in inhumane conditions," he said. he.
He explained that the Council appreciates that this is a criminal offense that does not require a long time to collect documentation and other evidence against the suspect.
In the letter to Stanković, they also stated that they respect the independence and autonomy of the state prosecution organization, but also that the limited spatial capacities of detention rooms should be taken into account:
"As well as the fact that it is not possible to implement all preventive and hygienic recommendations there in order to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We believe that this way would support the efforts of society as a whole to protect health and control risks, but also to prevent the prolonged stay of detainees in inhumane conditions".
Stanković was also given a report on the surveillance carried out in police detention facilities in Podgorica, Danilovgrad and Cetinje.
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