The Media Union of Montenegro (SMCG) has asked the competent institutions to state whether they have identified the shortcomings and sanctioned the police officers who failed to react in a timely manner on August 8 in Gornji Zaostar when photojournalists from Vijesti and Pobjeda, Boris Pejović and Stevo Vasiljević, were attacked.
In a letter to the Minister of Internal Affairs Danilo Šaranović, Acting Director of the Police Administration Lazar Šćepanović, and the Head of the Basic State Prosecutor's Office in Berane, Jadranka Mićović, SMCG referred to Article 417, paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code of Montenegro - negligent performance of duties.
"This article, as they said, explicitly stipulates that this criminal offense is committed by an official 'who, by violating the law or other regulations or general acts, by failing to perform his duty of supervision or in some other way, acts obviously negligently in the performance of his duties, although he was aware or was obliged and could have been aware that this could result in a serious violation of the rights of another or property damage'. The Media Union of Montenegro has previously expressed deep concern that the police did not react in a timely manner to prevent the incident, although it was clear that tensions at such an event could escalate," the SMCG announced.
They believe that the unwillingness of the authorities to determine the responsibility of the police would undermine trust in public institutions, weaken the system of protection for media workers, and encourage those who try to suppress critical reporting through violence.
In addition to the responsibility of police officers, SMCG also asked what measures were taken to sanction the persons who prevented Boris Pejović and Stevo Vasiljević from photographing the Chetnik rally and the unauthorized installation and unveiling of the monument to Pavle Đurišić.
"We remind you that, according to their testimony, there were more than a dozen people village and held hostage against their will, that their equipment worth between 10 and 15.000 euros was destroyed, that Vasiljević was beaten. What criminal acts have these people been charged with and have all those who participated in that attack been identified and questioned?” the SMCG letter states.
They expect the authorities to urgently shed light on all circumstances, prosecute all those responsible, and make it clear that any attack on media freedom will be sanctioned without exception.
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