If we look at the provisions of the Criminal Code of Montenegro, it is not difficult to calculate that former special prosecutor Lidija Mitrović would have to hide until May 2029, in order to avoid justice until the absolute statute of limitations expires.
At the end of May last year, the former special state prosecutor was sentenced to seven months in prison for abuse of office in the "Klap" case.
Lawyer Veselin Radulović explained to "Vijesti" that, in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Code, the absolute statute of limitations for the execution of a prison sentence of up to one year begins four years after the verdict becomes final.
"This means that the absolute statute of limitations for the execution of the prison sentence in the case of Lidija Mitrović will expire in three and a half years. If that actually happens, it would mean that she had prepared the logistics in advance for the escape and avoiding serving the prison sentence," he said.
Radulović claims that this scenario would further compromise the system and point to the danger of establishing proven patterns of evasion of justice.
"Which is impossible to implement without the active support of those in power and government. Additionally, it is important to point out that proceedings are still being conducted before Montenegrin courts on indictments filed by a former prosecutor, who was finally convicted of a corruption crime committed in the performance of her duties and who is now on the run, which compromises her integrity and makes all these proceedings questionable and suspicious," the lawyer states.
Piperović: Neither heard nor seen
Mitrović's legal representative, lawyer Zoran Piperović, told "Vijesti" that he last had contact with Lidija Mitrović after the appeal was rejected for the second time, because the first one was upheld and the verdict overturned.
"On that occasion, we were discussing the constitutional appeal, and after that we had another phone conversation. I think she told me, I'm not sure, that she would write a constitutional complaint and submit it, and since then I haven't heard from her or seen her. I really don't know where she could be, whether she is here or not, but I wouldn't prejudge or speculate, because she is a serious professional and a serious family person. There is a possibility, for example, that she is receiving treatment somewhere outside of Montenegro and we need to wait and see what really happened," he said.
The police confirmed everything.
"Vijesti" has been checking the information since this morning whether Lidija Mitrović is available to the police, who, by their own admission, have been seeking for days, on a court order, to have her sent to prison.
During the day, a statement was issued by the Police Directorate (PD), stating that the Podgorica police were taking measures and actions to find and bring in former special state prosecutor Lidija Mitrović, who did not voluntarily report to serve her prison sentence.
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"Namely, she previously filed a petition with the competent court for a postponement of the execution of her prison sentence, which was not granted, as we were informed by the court," the statement states.
The Police Department added that the police, acting on the order of the Basic Court in Podgorica to forcibly bring the convicted Mitrović, visited her residence and residence on several occasions, and that "her family reported different, conflicting information about her stay in the territory of Podgorica or Budva."
"Therefore, police officers visited all the listed addresses, where this person was not found, and the competent court was informed of the outcome of the checks. Taking into account that Mitrović did not voluntarily report to serve her prison sentence, but rather that she is avoiding it, as we have pointed out, officers of the Police Directorate informed the competent court of all the established facts, based on which a warrant was issued for this person in order to find her and bring her to serve her prison sentence. Officers of the Police Directorate are continuing their activities to find this person, and will also activate other legally permitted mechanisms in order to bring the convicted person to serve his prison sentence," the UP said.
On May 29th of last year, the Court of Appeals upheld the verdict of the Higher Court in Podgorica, which sentenced Mitrović to seven months in prison for the continued criminal offense of abuse of official position, in a repeated court proceeding.
Mitrović was sentenced to this prison sentence on December 23, 2024, at the Higher Court in Podgorica.
After the verdict became final, Mitrović filed several appeals, requesting a postponement of her prison sentence.
The law provides for the possibility of postponing the sentence in special cases, such as serious illness, death in the family or completion of education, but it is not known what reasons Mitrović cited.
During the proceedings, she claimed that the reports she dismissed in the "Klap" case did not contain elements of a criminal offense, while the High and Appellate Courts concluded that, as an official, she unlawfully used her position and applied the postponement of criminal prosecution even though she knew that this institute could not be used for tax evasion.
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