Čedomir Radičević was arrested today after "Vijesti" journalist Jelena Jovanović reported him to the police for online attacks, insults and attempted intimidation, which she claims she was subjected to due to her journalistic work.
According to the editorial team's information, Radičević was arrested for a misdemeanor - impudent behavior.
The journalist says she will probably appeal and ask for a review of whether Radičević's actions contain elements of a criminal offense.
Jovanović gave a statement to the competent state prosecutor's office today due to, as she stated, long-term and repeated online attacks, insults and attempts at intimidation, stating that the latest event, viewed as a whole (content of the message, context, frequency and goal), gives grounds for suspicion that Radičević committed one of the following criminal offenses - endangering security, violating freedom of speech and public speaking, preventing the printing and distribution of printed matter and broadcasting programs.
"I don't know if it is, but as a legal layman, I would like to highlight paragraph 2 of the criminal offense of preventing the printing and distribution of printed matter and broadcasting of programs: 'whoever without authorization prevents or obstructs the publication of information of public importance through the media'. In this specific case, the attacks are part of a pattern of pressure and intimidation aimed at obstructing my work and the publication of information of public importance. I would also like to point out that the Criminal Code of Montenegro recognizes the concept of 'work of public importance', and journalistic work in a democratic society by its very nature falls under that public interest and function. I would like to point out that I am aware that some behavior (insult/degradation) is often processed in practice through civil law protection of personal rights, but in my case, due to the long-term nature, organization, the goal of silencing and possible connection with threats and persecution, I believe that there is a basis for criminal legal action under the above-mentioned articles. Of course, I will file a lawsuit for violation of honor and reputation in a separate proceeding," she said.
Jovanović explained that she found herself targeted again the day before yesterday, during the broadcast of the show "Minula neđelja" on A PLUS television, while she was talking about individuals charged by the Special State Prosecutor's Office (SDT) with serious crimes, who, as she stated, were supposed to fight organized crime on behalf of the state.
"I understand everyone's right to disagree with my views or the topics I talk about. That is legitimate. But in a democratic society there are mechanisms for that - denials, corrections, reactions, public polemics. What is not allowed are insults, gender humiliation and attempts at intimidation."
In her statement to the prosecution, she stated that this was not an isolated incident, but part of a long-term pattern in which, she claims, the same models of behavior are repeated - targeted insults, discrediting and pressure, especially when dealing with topics related to organized crime and abuses in institutions.
"I have suffered such attacks for years, but I recently made the decision to report every such case to the authorities. Silence is no longer an option."
Jovanović stated that in her report, she requested that the authorities determine whether the specific conduct contained elements of a criminal offense:
"As a legal layman, I cannot and do not want to qualify in advance. When asked by the prosecutor whether I felt threatened by the person who sent me the message, I said that I could not know, because I did not know him, whether it was an isolated incident or something broader. That is precisely why I asked the prosecutor and the police to conscientiously and professionally assess all the circumstances, including whether his intention, apart from trying to silence me by discrediting me, was perhaps to do something."
Jovanović also states that the same person sent her the following message today:
"Your Honor, I am not addressing you to ask or beg you not to initiate any legal action against me, but rather because of the shame I feel for my ugly gesture, and this is the second time I have done it to you. Greetings and all the best."
She assessed that with this message he was clearly trying to prevent her from asking the authorities to do what the laws and the Constitution require of them - to protect citizens and prosecute perpetrators of criminal acts.
"And at the same time, it also indicates that this is not the first time I have been targeted."
Jovanović added that she also requested that an investigation be conducted into whether there is a possible connection between the attack and the topics she reports on and the persons who are the subject of the SDT's proceedings.
"I expect those in the profession to assess whether there is criminal liability. In the part that relates to insults and violation of honor and reputation, I will seek justice before the court in a special proceeding."
Jovanović stressed that her goal is not a public conflict, but an institutional reaction and a clear message that pressure on journalists cannot be relativized as "personal opinions" or "freedom of speech".
"I'm not doing this just for myself, but also for all my colleagues who suffer similar attacks. Journalism is a job of public interest and attacks on journalists are not a private matter," she said.
UP: Police will continue to take all necessary measures and actions to ensure the protection of journalists
The Police Directorate (UP) officially announced that Podgorica police officers arrested Radičević (70) from Podgorica for a violation of the Law on Public Order - Article 7 (insolent behavior), committed against ND "Vijesti" journalist Jelena Jovanović.
"The police officers immediately acted upon the report that journalist Jelena Jovanović filed late last night via the Virtual Police Station application, which report relates to Č.R.'s post on the social network, in which he commented on her journalistic work in a brazen and negative manner, while also sending her crude misogynistic insults. Č.R. was brought to the police station and a statement was taken from him regarding the circumstances of journalist Jovanović's report," the statement states.
The UP added that "the competent state prosecutor at the Basic State Prosecutor's Office in Podgorica was informed about everything, and after reviewing the case file, he stated that Č.R.'s actions constitute a misdemeanor under Article 7 of the Law on Public Order and Peace."
"He will be brought before the duty judge of the Minor Offences Court in Podgorica within the legal deadline. The police will continue to take all necessary measures and actions to ensure the protection of journalists, as well as to enable all media workers to carry out their extremely important work in an unhindered manner," the Police Department said.
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