School security guard with fake diploma: Court "burns out" fake electrician - he was fired

An employee at a coastal school took care of the safety of children in the facility, maintained the school building, and also repaired malfunctions, including those in electrical installations, all with a fake electrician's diploma.

After the Podgorica Basic Court found him guilty of forging an educational document, and the verdict became final, the janitor was fired.

This was confirmed to the editorial team yesterday by the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation (MESI).

"After the verdict was sent to the employer, so that the management of that institution could take measures and actions within its jurisdiction, the employment of the said person was terminated," the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs responded.

The court previously sentenced him to 240 hours of community service, confiscated his fake diploma, and threatened him with imprisonment if he fails to complete some or all of the community service hours.

"...By imposing one day of imprisonment for every eight hours of community service," the verdict, which became final in mid-January, specified.

"Graduated" after thirty

In July last year, the former employee tried to have his diploma from the Belgrade School of Electrical Engineering validated at the Ministry of Education and Science. The diploma stated that the janitor had graduated from high school at the age of over 30, in the 2017/2018 school year in Belgrade.

Instead of recognizing the document, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications allegedly informed him that this was not possible, and submitted the documentation to the Podgorica Basic State Prosecutor's Office for processing.

"...At the main trial, the defendant pleaded guilty, and stated that he had never been to Belgrade to take any exams. By the term 'regular diploma' he meant that the diploma was registered at the school and could be used legally," the verdict, which was seen by "Vijesti", states.

It is alleged that the defendant submitted a request for the nostrification of his diploma to the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation, and that "after about a month he received a notification that the nostrification was not accepted, that no reason was given for this, and that he did not understand what was going on until the prosecutor called him."

"After a conscientious assessment of each piece of evidence individually, the court has established beyond doubt that on July 30, 2024, the defendant used a false educational document as a genuine one, which he submitted to the Ministry of Education with a request for recognition... Considering the defendant's subjective attitude towards the committed act, the court finds that he acted with direct intent. This is because the defendant was undoubtedly aware of the false origin and false content of the diploma in question, and used it as such, which he undoubtedly wanted...", the verdict states.

MPNI: Stricter penalties necessary

Anđela Jakšić-Stojanović's department confirmed to "Vijesti" that the Basic Court in Podgorica informed them that "the final verdict it issued against an employee of an educational institution for the criminal offense of forgery of a document is under Article 412, paragraph 2 of the Criminal Code."

"Previously, upon the report of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, a court proceeding was conducted in which this employee was found guilty of the aforementioned criminal offense and sentenced to 240 hours of community service. After the verdict was sent to the employer, so that the management of that institution could take measures and actions within its jurisdiction, the employment of the said person was terminated," the Ministry of Internal Affairs responded to "Vijesti".

They said that the department "strongly supports the fight against counterfeit and purchased diplomas."

"And once again, it appeals to the necessity of involving all social actors and a stricter penal policy so that we can together combat one of the greatest challenges of our society," they emphasized.

From 2023 to the beginning of June this year, the Ministry filed 89 criminal reports for falsifying educational documents.

According to the amendments to the Law on Recognition of Foreign Educational Documents and Equalization of Qualifications, which were recently adopted by the Parliament of Montenegro, the Government may establish a special working body that will deal with diplomas acquired outside Montenegro, and every state body, public administration body, institution will have to submit educational documents of employees upon their request.