Vesna Bratić sentenced to up to 30 days in custody

Former Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Vesna Bratić was remanded in custody for up to 30 days tonight.

The decision was made by Suzana Mugoša, an investigative judge at the Higher Court in Podgorica.

Bratić was remanded in custody due to the risk of flight and influencing witnesses.

"The investigating judge, after questioning the suspect, ordered her to be detained for up to 30 days due to the risk of flight (Article 448, paragraph 1, item 1) and influence over witnesses (448, paragraph 1, item 3). The suspect is charged with the continued criminal offense of abuse of official position. An appeal against the aforementioned decision is allowed to the criminal council of this court within 24 hours from the time of receipt of the decision," the High Court's public relations advisor, Ivana Vukmirović, told "Vijesti".

Mugoša questioned Bratić earlier this evening.

While Bratić was being questioned, a rally in support of the former minister was held in front of the High Court.

Bratić was arrested yesterday in an investigation by the Special State Prosecutor's Office (SDT) for damage of at least 400.000 euros caused by the dismissal of more than 140 kindergarten, elementary and secondary school directors.

Bratić held the position of minister for just over a year - from the first post-DPS government elected on December 4, 2020, to February 4, 2022, when she was voted out of office.

In the first half of her term, she dismissed almost all school principals in Montenegro.

While the opposition accused her of political revenge, Bratić justified her dismissals in education by depoliticizing the education system, claiming that some of the dismissed directors had abused educational institutions for political purposes.

Yesterday, after a hearing at the Special State Prosecutor's Office (SDT) in Podgorica, she was ordered to be detained, and her legal representative, attorney Mitar Šušić, told "Vijesti" that Bratić denied guilt and stated that she had dismissed directors legally.