Tip: Seven policemen beat Pljevlja with their feet, hands and batons

On May 13, at least seven police officers beat Pljevljak OM with their feet, hands and batons, even though he did not offer any resistance, thereby exceeding their authority and violating the rights of that XNUMX-year-old.

This was stated by the Council for Citizen Control of Police Work, emphasizing that they expect the reaction of the Department for Internal Control.

According to their data from the Pljevlja prosecutor's office, the case is in the investigation phase.

The XNUMX-year-old was beaten by police officers with equipment to break up demonstrations during the citizens' protest against the arrest of Bishop Joaniki and priests of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral.

That police "action" was recorded by cameras.

"On the frames of the available video, it can be seen that OM, who did not offer any resistance, is being hit by at least seven police officers with their feet, hands and batons. The number of blows received by OM is significant. The video also shows that one of the policemen who was also hitting him raises his right hand as a signal to his colleagues to stop further hitting, after which all the present policemen stop hitting OM. Based on the available documentation and video, the Council assessed that the police officers of CB Pljevlja exceeded their powers in their treatment of the citizen OM, which resulted in a violation of rights," reads the Council's conclusion, which was also submitted to Vijesti.

Could have been different

They assessed that during appropriate training, police officers gained enough knowledge and experience to overcome resistance without exceeding their authority and causing injuries:

"Which was missing in this particular case. On the video, it is obvious that police officers continue to act even when all reason and purpose for further intervention has ceased."

The Council started the inspection of the policemen's actions according to the OM on its own initiative.

That body is the only one that has so far made public its findings and evaluations about that case of overreach of authority, and they also explained what they had done since the night when Pljevljak was brutally beaten and then arrested.

"The head of the Pljevlja Security Center, Dragan Slavulj, submitted all the required documentation and was in constant communication with the Council, which confirms the determination of the Police Administration to support any verification of the application of powers and not to cover up or cover up any instance of possible excess of powers. The police informed the Council that the OM was deprived of his liberty due to the grounds of suspicion that he had committed the criminal offense of assaulting an official in the performance of his official duties and that after the hearing at the Basic State Prosecutor's Office, as a suspect, he was released to defend himself. Using Article 11 of the Rules of Procedure, part of the Council's session was attended by a parent whose testimony before the Council was important for the case in question, especially in the domain of objections to the treatment of OM in police custody," explained the Council.

In conclusion, they state that they especially expect, based on the analyzes and recommendations of civil supervision, the actions of the internal control of the police.

"The Council inquired at the Basic State Prosecutor's Office (ODT) in Pljevlje about the status of the case formed regarding the actions of the police officers of CB Pljevlje according to the OM. The ODT informed that the case is in the investigation phase and that several persons have been questioned so far. The expert examination and the undertaking of other actions provided for by the law in order to make a correct and legal decision are in progress."

In one of the videos taken on the night of May 13 in Pljevlja, a group of police officers can be seen pushing and hitting a man with hands, feet, and batons... After the videos were released to the public, the Police Department announced that the police there established order and peace in a very short time with professional behavior and effective reaction".

At that time, they also announced that the OM was arrested for the criminal offense of assault on an official in official company.

On the same night, the Council announced that a XNUMX-year-old man was attacked by a policeman from behind.