Alternative Montenegro files complaint against Ivan Vuković

The non-governmental organization Alternative Montenegro filed a criminal complaint with the Podgorica Basic State Prosecutor's Office against the MP of the Democratic Party of Socialists, Ivan Vuković, on suspicion that he violated the Constitution and the Law on the Prohibition of Discrimination.

In addition, they submitted an initiative to consider possible violations of ethical principles and the reputation of the university profession, given that Vuković is a professor at the Faculty of Political Sciences of the University of Montenegro.

The report and initiative were filed after "Vijesti" published yesterday that former Podgorica Mayor Ivan Vuković and the accused head of the so-called Grand Clan, Aleksandar Mijajlović, had agreed that the municipal police would not turn off the music at the Podgorica Hotel, that they would "spill Chetnik shit" on the CDM portal, that they would suggest when it would be a good time for Bemax to sponsor something, that they would equip Radio-Television Podgorica, but also that he would look for fitness equipment and inform him who among the owners of Podgorica's bars were "Chetnik thugs"...

This stems from the indictment of the Special State Prosecutor's Office (SDT), which claims that Mijajlović's criminal organization influenced political power, the media, the executive branch, and other important social factors.

In the criminal report filed with the Podgorica State Prosecutor's Office, they explained that they were filing it due to publicly released communications that were reported by numerous media outlets in Montenegro in the past few days:

"And in which Ivan Vuković is attributed with expressions of offensive, discriminatory and intolerant content towards Metropolitan Amfilohije Radović and the citizens who participated in the processions. According to media reports, Ivan Vuković used the expressions: 'I f*ck them all on the list, headed by Amfilohije', as well as other formulations referring to religious and social groups gathered around the Serbian Orthodox Church and the 2020 processions," the report states.

They emphasized that they believe that this content goes beyond the boundaries of political communication and constitutes speech that incites intolerance and insults based on religious affiliation and beliefs, especially considering the social and public position of the person to whom such statements are attributed.

"Article 47 of the Constitution of Montenegro stipulates: 'It is prohibited to provoke or incite hatred or intolerance on any grounds.' Also, Article 15 of the Law on the Prohibition of Discrimination prohibits speech, behavior and expression that incite discrimination, hatred or intolerance towards persons or groups on the basis of their personal characteristics, including religious affiliation. The Criminal Code of Montenegro, in Article 199, stipulates criminal protection against inciting national, racial and religious hatred and intolerance. Considering the social sensitivity of the issue, the public significance of the published communications, as well as the potential consequences that such messages may have on interfaith relations and public order, I propose that the Basic State Prosecutor's Office in Podgorica form a case, verify the authenticity of the published communications and take actions within its jurisdiction," the report states.

In the initiative sent to the rector and the FPN, they wrote that according to the content published in the media, expressions of an offensive and intolerant nature were used in communication with Aleksandar Mijajlović towards Metropolitan Amfilohije Radović, as well as towards some of the citizens and believers gathered around the 2020 liturgy.

"Particular concern is caused by the fact that this is a university professor and public figure, from whom a high level of professional responsibility, academic culture, tolerance and public expression in accordance with the ethical principles of the university community is expected. Without entering into political positions or ideological differences, we believe that it is necessary to determine whether the content and manner of communication that was published in public may constitute a violation of the Code of Ethics of the University of Montenegro, the principles of academic integrity, the obligation to preserve the reputation of the university profession, as well as the principles of respect for diversity, dignity and tolerance. In this regard, we propose that the competent ethics body of the University of Montenegro review publicly available information and determine whether there are elements to initiate appropriate proceedings within its jurisdiction," Alternative announced.

They emphasize that the subject of this initiative is solely the protection of academic integrity and standards of public communication of university professors, without political motives or the intention of waging public controversy.

Both with the initiative and with the report, they proposed publicly available media releases as evidence, as well as the possible acquisition of additional information if the competent authority deems it necessary.

Special prosecutors singled out numerous messages from Vukovićević and Mijajlović, including those in which the then mayor and Mijajlović commented on the negotiations for the formation of the government less than a month after the parliamentary elections on August 30, 2020.

"They're turning the government into a church... The civilized world hasn't known that for 300 years," Vuković wrote on September 22nd.

"And our services are not going to come and film it," Mijajlović replied, after which Vuković responded with curses:

"I'll f*ck them all on the list, headed by Amfilohije."

Mijajlović then writes to him that he sent his worker to film them.

"I sent my farm worker to take pictures and selfies... He'll be dead before tomorrow"...

On that day, a meeting was held at the Ostrog Monastery between the then Metropolitan Amfilohije and the leaders of the three coalitions that won the majority in the elections held on August 30, 2020. The meeting was attended by the leader of the coalition "For the Future of Montenegro" Zdravko Krivokapić, the leader of the coalition "Black on White" Dritan Abazović, the leaders of the Democratic Front Andrija Mandić and Milan Knežević, as well as representatives of Democratic Montenegro and the president of the Socialist People's Party Vladimir Joković.