The trial of members of the Radio and Television Council of Montenegro (RTCG) for the illegal appointment of RTCG Director General Boris Raonić was held today in the Podgorica Basic Court, and the audio recording of the session of that body held in June 2023, at which the decision was made to continue Raonić's mandate, is currently being played.
The audio recording shows the president of the Public Service Council, Veselin Drljević, saying that it is justified that the session is urgent.
Vice President of the Council Marijana Camović Velicković is heard to be replying to him, asking that the session not be secret.
Council member Amina Murić said that a lot of dust had risen around the session.
In the recording, she explicitly requests that the session be closed to the public "because that will avoid spin and misinformation."
Camović Velicković repeatedly emphasizes that the session must be public, and also wonders whether the members of the Public Service Council will be uncomfortable re-electing Boris Raonic as director general.
Member Filip Lazović says that the situation is atypical, and that pressure was put on the members of the RTCG Council.
Drljević said that the Council "has taken note" and is acting in accordance with the Higher Court's ruling, namely that "Boris Raonić is not the general director."
As can be heard on the audio recording, Camović Velicković asks the RTCG legal team whether, despite the decision of the Higher Court, they are asking the Council to decide on Raonic.
"We constantly have to defend Boris Raonic. Are we defending him here or the public interest?" she asked.
Council member Milica Špajak, as heard in the audio recording, said that the best solution was to cancel the competition and organize a new one. She also said that it was right to appoint an acting director of RTCG. She emphasized that she would not participate in the vote.
Camović Velicković has repeatedly warned members of the Council that Raonic cannot be the general director.
She added that they had been helping him for several years.
Drljević, as can be heard on the recording, suggested to her that it was not advisable to use the media to "aggressively suggest what awaits the members of the RTCG Council if your opinion is not acted upon."
Lazović stressed that whatever decision is made, it will be reviewed, which, as he points out in the video, is a good thing.
Former Council member Predrag Miranović questioned the number of legally valid votes, because not all members of that Public Service Broadcasting body were present at the session.
The President of the RTCG Council, as could be heard on the recording, said that he would not be surprised if the Supreme Court decided differently from the High Court.
He praised Raonic, pointing out that the Montenegrin public witnessed his results in the Public Service.
In the recording, Drljević can be heard saying that the competition has not been canceled. After reading that four candidates (Milutin Stijepović, Srđan Čović, Nikola Marković and Boris Raonić) have been voted in, Camović Velicković can be heard leaving the session.
After the audio recording was completed, the defendants' lawyers said that it could be concluded that each member of the Council "voted according to their conscience and mind."
They stated that there was no agreement between them, and that this shows how unfounded the indictment is.
The prosecutor also requested that Zorica Đukanović, Saša Vukotic and Želimir Mićović from the Public Service's legal department be heard.
Drljević claims that the prosecutor intends to prolong the process and "still keep the Council members under indictment in order to entertain the public."
"I have every reason to suspect that this is under pressure from certain media and political entities who want to illegally influence the work of the Public Service," said Drljević.
Lazović said that the prosecution has some ambitions, and that it does not have the will, like the Council's defense, to complete the entire process on time.
Judge Dragana Lubarda rejected the proposal to hear representatives of the RTCG legal department, because it would only lead to a delay in the evidentiary proceedings.
Closing arguments will be held on July 7th at 13:XNUMX PM.
The Podgorica Basic State Prosecutor's Office previously filed an indictment against the president and four members of the RTCG Council, due to the illegal appointment of Director General Boris Raonić.
As "Vijesti" has written on several occasions, they are charged with abuse of official position in complicity.
The indictment was filed against Drljević and Council members Filip Lazović, Amina Murić, Naod Zorić and Predrag Miranović.
Marijana Camović Velicković, Milica Špajak and Bojan Baća were examined as witnesses in early April.
Bonus video:
