The Podgorica Security Department has dropped its request to initiate misdemeanor proceedings against journalist and columnist Brano Mandić.
This request was filed with the Minor Offences Court in Podgorica upon a report by the Šušić law firm.
"After a detailed and comprehensive analysis, as well as broader consultations and recommendations from relevant legal sources and comparative practice, and appreciating and guided by the overriding public interest, officers of the Podgorica Security Department have withdrawn the request to initiate misdemeanor proceedings against journalist Brano Mandić filed with the Misdemeanor Court in Podgorica upon a report by the Šušić law firm. The analysis of the proceedings in this specific case was based on an additional assessment of a sensitive specific event that represented criticism of a public appearance aimed at protecting the dignity of a woman, while also considering international conventions and standards on freedom of expression, and bearing in mind that public figures are obliged to endure increased criticism at work and in connection with their work and to take responsibility by their example in accordance with the jobs they perform," the Police Directorate announced.
They add that officers of the Podgorica Police Department today informed the Court of Misdemeanors in writing about the withdrawal of the request to initiate misdemeanor proceedings, and that they will inform the applicant, the Šušić law firm, in writing about this outcome, with the legal advice that they can achieve protection of their client's rights through a private lawsuit in civil litigation or possibly in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Misdemeanors if the applicant's request is allowed by the Court of Misdemeanors in Podgorica.
"In the coming period, the Police Directorate will treat such or similar events with special care and assess all circumstances relevant to the existence of a misdemeanor, guided by positive - legal regulations and international - legal acts and standards, in order to properly establish a balance between criticism and insult on the path to misdemeanor protection," the Police Directorate announced.
On March 7, Mandić informed the public that the Police Directorate had initiated proceedings against him before the Minor Offences Court in Podgorica due to allegations from a column in which he criticized a public speech by University of Montenegro professor Aleksandar Stamatović.
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