The Police Directorate announced that, on the orders of the director of that institution, Lazar Šćepanović, two special teams have been formed to combat usury.
They said that the task of these teams is to systematically and thoroughly examine all cases reported so far, to review the actions of police officers in cases from the previous period, and to take all legally prescribed measures and actions in new cases, "with special care and sensitivity", in order to protect the personal and property safety of citizens.
The police welcomed "the professional and responsible investigative work of the media, which contributes to raising public awareness of this problem and encourages institutional responses in the interest of society as a whole."
"Vijesti" has been publishing the feuilleton "Greening in Montenegro" since January 28th, by Jelena Jovanović.
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"The current investigative journalistic work, published through a feuilleton on the decades-long problem of usury in Montenegro, has additionally opened up the important issue of the institutional response to this negative social phenomenon. The Police Directorate considers it important that the public be informed in a timely and accurate manner about the measures and activities that are continuously undertaken in order to detect, suppress and prosecute the criminal offense of usury," the statement reads.
They said that, in this regard, the Police Directorate is continuously and systematically implementing long-term intelligence and investigative projects "Loan" and "Badge", aimed at detecting, clarifying and prosecuting perpetrators of the criminal offenses of usury and related forms of crime, collecting and analyzing operational and intelligence data, as well as directing efficient police and prosecutorial activities, including checks on possible abuses by police officers linked to criminal structures.
They point out that the criminal offense of usury represents a serious security and social challenge that directly affects the economic stability, dignity, existence and personal safety of citizens. "Its specificity is reflected in the contracting of disproportionate material benefits by exploiting the poor financial situation, difficult circumstances, necessity, frivolity or insufficient ability to reason of the injured party, as prescribed by the Criminal Code of Montenegro," the police add.
The Police Directorate emphasizes that, given the social component of this phenomenon - difficult life circumstances, financial vulnerability and insufficient information about the legal consequences, as well as the fact that the criminal act of usury is often connected to other criminal acts, such as violent behavior, extortion, threats and physical injuries - they understand the sensitivity of the position of the injured parties and guarantee "a professional, conspiratorial and legal approach in each individual case."
They called on all injured parties to report the perpetrators of the criminal offense of usury without delay, as well as all other persons who have knowledge of these illegal activities.
They announced that the police will further intensify operational activities to identify and prosecute perpetrators of the criminal offense of usury, and that all legally prescribed measures will be taken in cooperation with the competent state prosecutor's office to secure evidence and initiate appropriate proceedings.
"The Police Department will not allow injured parties to suffer fear, pressure or violence from individuals - bullies or loan sharks. We call on citizens to establish cooperation in a confidential and safe manner when reporting criminal acts of loan sharking, through the established contact point with a police officer," the statement reads.
Citizens can contact the Police Directorate headquarters, Department in charge of this area, via email.: korupcija.ekonomski@up.gov.me.
"We remain firmly committed to protecting the safety of all citizens and their property, strengthening public trust, and decisively confronting all forms of crime. At the same time, we welcome the professional and responsible investigative work of the media, which contributes to raising public awareness of this problem and encourages institutional responses in the interest of society as a whole," the police said.
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