VDT: EC document highlights proactive investigations against organized crime groups...

The State Prosecutor's Office achieves exceptional results in combating all forms of crime, especially in the fight against organized crime, corruption and war crimes, demonstrating its strength and ability to conduct complex and cross-border investigations, the European Commission (EC) assessed in its latest Rule of Law Report.

The Supreme State Prosecutor's Office (SPO) announced that Brussels has concluded that reforms in the state prosecutor's organization are yielding measurable results and contributing to the fulfillment of the final benchmarks in negotiation chapters 23 and 24, which represent the basis of Montenegro's European path.

It is stated that particular emphasis was placed on strengthening the capacities of the Supreme State Prosecutor's Office and the Special State Prosecutor's Office, with the assessment that these institutions are increasingly responding to the most complex forms of crime.

"The EC document highlights proactive investigations against organized crime groups, improved cooperation with international partners, as well as intensive application of financial investigations in cases of organized crime and money laundering," the statement said.

It is added that cooperation with European judicial and security institutions, as well as with prosecutors' offices in Latin American countries, has been recognized as an important step forward, which contributes to more efficient detection and prosecution of the most complex forms of cross-border crime.

"When it comes to the fight against corruption, the Commission notes that the coordinated action of the Supreme and Special State Prosecutor's Offices, the Special Police Department and other competent authorities is yielding visible results through an increased number of investigations, indictments and high-level corruption cases," the statement said.

The Supreme State Prosecutor's Office said that the cooperation of the system's institutions, which contributes to more efficient detection and prosecution of corruption crimes, was particularly positively assessed.

"Among the significant results are the prosecution of war crimes, including the passing of a verdict for a war crime committed in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the initiation of new proceedings for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The EC also positively assesses regional cooperation in this area, as well as the implementation of the War Crimes Investigation Strategy," the statement said.

The report confirms that the implementation of the Instructions on Procedures in Cases of Domestic Violence and Family Community Violence is yielding concrete positive results, particularly emphasizing the proactive approach of state prosecutors.

"By taking measures in all cases of violence and proposing to the courts the imposition of protective and supervisory measures, prosecutors significantly contribute to more efficient protection of victims. It is precisely this engagement of the prosecution that has contributed to improving the assessment of the risk of repeated violence and strengthening the overall victim protection system," the statement added.

It is emphasized that the EC also recognized the efforts of the State Prosecutor's Office in protecting journalists, noting that the competent authorities continue to provide a timely and effective response to new cases of violence against media workers.

It is indicated that the report also notes progress in the investigation and prosecution of cases of abuse and torture, indicating an increase in the number of cases and greater efficiency in their prosecution.

"In the area of ​​combating trafficking in human beings, the EC notes that Montenegro continues to strengthen its results in proactive detection and identification of victims, as well as in investigations, prosecution and processing of perpetrators of this crime. The need for further capacity building and continued reforms has been recognized, to which the State Prosecutor's Office will remain committed in order to improve efficiency, accountability and citizen trust," the statement concludes.