The decision to order Suzana Mugoša and Vesna Bratić to be detained represents another in a series of examples that seriously undermines trust in the Montenegrin judicial system, announced Anđela Vojinović, MP from the Democratic Party of Montenegro, this evening.
"The fact that the decision was made by judge Suzana Mugoša, whose name has previously been the subject of public interest, is particularly worrying. In this specific case, Vesna Bratić is being given the strictest measure, detention, due to the proceedings, which, according to available information, are not of such a nature that they can in any way be compared to those who were released to defend themselves at liberty. At the same time, we have witnessed situations in which persons accused of multiple serious criminal offenses, including abuse of official position and obtaining significant material gain to the detriment of the state, were released to defend themselves at liberty. We recall the case of Jelena Perović, who, despite serious accusations for several serious criminal offenses, was allowed to defend herself at liberty," Vojinović pointed out in a statement.
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She added that the public also rightly asks the question - how is it possible that the former President of the Supreme Court, Vesna Medenica, despite being sentenced to 12 years in prison, was not given detention, a ban on leaving the apartment with a mobile phone, or a ban on leaving the apartment without electronic surveillance, but rather a ban on leaving the municipality?
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"Why is the SDT's appeal regarding Vesna Medenica's detention not being decided urgently? This practice raises serious questions about equality before the law. If detention is a measure of last resort that is determined when there is a risk of escape, influence on witnesses or repetition of the crime, then it is legitimate to ask: according to what criteria is it applied? And why are these criteria obviously not the same for everyone?", said Vojinović.
She said that there cannot be a state governed by the rule of law if the strictness of the law is applied selectively, and measures restricting freedom are used as a means of demonstrating force towards some, while a completely different attitude is shown towards others.
"We call on the competent institutions to urgently review this decision and provide the public with clear, legally based explanations. Citizens have the right to a judiciary that is impartial, consistent and equal for all, regardless of the political, institutional or personal background of anyone who finds themselves before the court," said Vojinović.
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.
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.
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