Vraneš's insults cost 500 euros - fined for insulting Milka Tadić Mijović

The first man of Pljevlja Dario Vranes (New Serbian Democracy) was fined 500 euros for an offensive post on the social network Instagram to the account of the executive director of the Center for Investigative Reporting (CIN-CG) Milke Tadić Mijović.

The Bijelo Polje Misdemeanor Court, Pljevlja branch, found Vraneš guilty on March 19th for harassing Tadić Mijović as a woman on Instagram on December 4th of last year, allegedly insulting her dignity and causing her to feel humiliated and insulted.

Vraneš is commenting on Tadić Mijović's statement to "Vijesti" about his nationalistic outbursts, quoting Petar II Petrović Njegoš, and with a few smileys, wrote: "Tell me, grandma, are you a witch? I am, prince, there's no point in hiding it."

In the court decision, signed by the judge Ana Bulatović, it is stated that Vraneš has committed a violation of the Law on the Prohibition of Discrimination, and that the court therefore fines him 500 euros. The leader of Pljevlja is obliged to pay the fine within 15 days after the decision becomes final. The fine will be reduced if he pays half of it within the deadline set by the court, and it will be considered paid in full.

He claimed it was a political controversy.

In her closing remarks, the head of the Basic State Prosecutor's Office (ODT) Pljevlja Sanja Golubovic She maintained her request to initiate misdemeanor proceedings and proposed that the court declare Vraneš guilty and punish him according to the law, the decision states.

Golubović stated that the violation was proven, that the statement was not only directed at the journalist as a public figure, but that it had an offensive and humiliating character towards women, which, according to the prosecutor, incites discrimination. She warned that such messages in public spaces can spread intolerance and harmful social patterns, and emphasized that preventive action is necessary to prevent similar situations and send a clear message that such behavior will be sanctioned.

In his defense, Vraneš said that he did not accept responsibility for the offense and that the content in question was his political response to Tadić Mijović's statements in the media. He stated that he had quoted verses from literature in a political context and that his intention was not to insult or humiliate. He emphasized that he respected Tadić Mijović, as well as all women, and that it was a political polemic, not a personal attack. He added that politicians must be prepared for criticism and political responses, and that he believes that his statement was misinterpreted.

Tadić Mijović said that Vraneš's post deeply affected her and that she experienced it as a personal insult and a form of discrimination - not only towards her but towards women in general. She pointed out that such statements further fueled a wave of insults, threats and inappropriate comments on social networks and portals.

Tadić Mijović stated that as a woman, mother and public figure she feels the consequences of such speech, and that she is particularly concerned that such messages come from a person in high public office. She emphasized that such statements can incite violence and deepen discrimination, and that they have serious consequences not only for her, but also for the wider community. She emphasized that she is not a politician.

Violated dignity

The court found that on December 4, 2025, Vraneš posted a controversial post on Instagram with a laughing emoticon and the song "My grandmother has a heart", which, according to the court, violated Tadić Mijović's dignity and created a feeling of humiliation and insult.

The decision was reportedly made based on her testimony and written evidence, including a screenshot of a post in which Vranes responded to her media article.

It is alleged that the court based its decision on the testimony of Tadić Mijović, who pointed out that after her views expressed in an article and on the show, Vraneš called her a derogatory name, the ugliest, in addition to being a 'grandmother' and a 'witch', which was followed by numerous offensive comments about her, which the court also established.

The court also referred to the opinion of the Human Rights Protector of December 30, 2025, according to which such a statement incites discrimination and misogynistic speech against women. It accepted Tadić Mijović's statement and the evidence as clear and credible, and concluded that the violation was proven.

Vraneš's defense that it was a political response and quoting Njegoš was not accepted, because the court assessed that such a comparison exceeded the limits of permissible criticism and insulted her reputation. It was emphasized that Tadić Mijović was not a politician, but a journalist who criticized certain views that she considered socially dangerous, and not personal insults.

"The court finds that it is unacceptable to insult a woman by using expressions such as 'grandmother' and 'witch', and the fact that such an expression is possibly associated with quoting a writer cannot constitute a justification for the words spoken, since freedom of expression does not include the right to insult and belittle the dignity of another person," the court's ruling reads.

Discrimination

The court concluded that Vraneš's post contained elements of disparagement and the spread of negative stereotypes towards women, as well as elements of discrimination.

"For these reasons, the defendant's defense, in the court's opinion, was calculated to avoid his own misdemeanor liability," the ruling states.

The court, as stated, assessed that Vraneš was aware of his act, wanted it to be carried out and was aware that his act was prohibited. It added that Vraneš was aware that he was harassing Tadić Mijović, causing her to feel humiliated and insulted, and violating her personal dignity, “which in this specific case he wanted, so as a subjective element of the nature of the misdemeanor in the actions of the defendant, direct intent is manifested”.

This violation is reportedly punishable by a fine of 150 to 2.000 euros.

As aggravating circumstances, the court considered that the offense was committed with direct intent and that the defendant is a public official from whom a higher degree of responsibility and restraint in public expression is expected. As mitigating circumstances, the court took into account his correct behavior during the proceedings and the fact that in the last two years he had not been punished for such offenses, but only for traffic offenses.

Taking all of this into account, the court imposed a fine of 500 euros, believing that this would achieve the purpose of punishment and influence the defendant not to commit similar offenses in the future.

Vraneš may appeal this decision to the Higher Court for Minor Offences of Montenegro within eight days of receiving a copy of the decision.