"Unlike threats against LGBTIQ people, the police are sensitive to posts against politicians"

The non-governmental organizations LGBT Forum Progres and LGBTIQ Socijalni Centar pointed to, as they said, the unequal treatment of the Police Administration and the potential restriction of Milan Roncevic's freedom of speech.

The basic state prosecutor dismissed the criminal charges against Roncevic, who was arrested by the police for insulting Defense Minister Predrag Bošković.

The prosecutor stated that there were no elements for a criminal complaint in Roncevic's announcement, and that it was a misdemeanor.

The Police Directorate unofficially told "Vijesti" that Roncevic was arrested for committing an offense under the Law on Public Order and Peace - insulting and insolent behavior - to the detriment of the Minister of Defense of Montenegro.

"Taking into account the fact that this misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of up to 400 euros, i.e. a prison sentence of up to 30 days, and that defamation and insult have been removed from the Criminal Code of Montenegro, we express our concern and interest in the manner in which the Police Administration assessed that is the term "splačina" the reason for depriving this individual of his freedom. On the other hand, perpetrators who spread hate speech, threats and much more serious insults against the LGBTIQ community are almost never prosecuted in this way," states the press release of the LGBT Forum Progres and LGBTIQ Socijalni Center.

They add that when it comes to politically active persons from public life, they note "the prompt and strong reaction of the Police Administration and the use of all available means in finding and sanctioning the perpetrators".

"And when it comes to the LGBTIQ community, the response to a report to the Police Directorate can take up to several months. This is supported by the fact that several hundred reports have been submitted to the Police Directorate over the past few months, and not a single person, even when in the matter of the call for the public burning of LGBTIQ persons, he was not deprived of his freedom. We appreciate that in this particular case Mr. Bošković was placed in a privileged position compared to other citizens of Montenegro, especially bearing in mind that he, as a public figure, must be ready for public criticism , even when that criticism contains offensive connotations," it said.

LGBT Forum Progres and LGBTIQ Social Center called on the Assembly to urgently pass amendments to the law in order to precisely treat social networks as part of the public space.

"And to make a clear distinction in the legislative framework between freedom of speech and hate speech, i.e. to draw a line where freedom of speech ends and hate speech begins. No room should be left for individual interpretations on a case-by-case basis, because in the absence of this demarcation, it burdens slows down the work of the judicial system, and abuses often occur. Finally, LGBT Forum Progress and LGBTIQ Social Center call for a clear determination of the responsibility of those within the system who in this way deprive the citizens of Montenegro of their freedom due to the enjoyment of freedom of speech and criticism of public officials, and to put an end to this practice. The law and its interpretation must be the same for everyone, regardless of whether the victim is a minister or an ordinary citizen," concludes the announcement of the LGBT Forum Progres and the LGBTIQ Social Center.