When not overwhelmed by internal problems, the judiciary encounters external obstacles, as their decisions are often ignored. For example, the Clinical Center of Montenegro (KCCG) is not implementing a final judgment of the Higher Court in Podgorica, which ordered them to reinstate Jelena Radojičić as director of the Clinic for Eye Diseases.
Instead, in early January, they offered her an annex to the contract for the position of specialist physician, from which she was dismissed in 2024, on the eve of the local elections in Podgorica.
While the Clinic is headed by a member of the Europe Now Movement (PES), Radojičić announces the continuation of the fight against the competent institutions.
Despite the final judgment of the Higher Court, which ordered the KCCG to reinstate Jelena Radojičić to the position of director of the Clinic for Eye Diseases, that decision has not been respected to this day. Although the previous annex to the contract, confirmed by the Basic and Higher Courts, was declared null and void due to unspecified and illegally explained reasons for dismissal, Radojičić was offered a new annex at the beginning of January, for the same position of specialist physician, from which she was dismissed, instead of returning to the management position to which the court verdict had ordered mandatory reinstatement.
"No special interpretation is needed without concluding that the submission of the offer and annexes is in fact the employer's active behavior towards me, with the aim of humiliating my dignity, reputation, personal and professional integrity. Instead of that, or respecting the court ruling, the employer is offering me the same job," Radojičić told Television Vijesti.
She recalls that during her term, the Eye Clinic was declared the most successful in the country, that a third operating room worth more than 300 thousand euros was opened, and that the monopoly on surgical work was abolished. Today, she claims, the clinic is experiencing longer waiting times for operations and lower capacity utilization. Radojičić was removed from her position as director the year before last, on the eve of the Podgorica local elections. Antoaneta Adžić Zečević, a member of the ruling PES party, was soon appointed to her position.
"Most likely, some personal and professional interests are at stake. The current management is aware of the shortcomings in the management of the clinic now," said Radojičić.
In addition to ignoring final court rulings, the KCCG also shows a lack of professionalism when it comes to communicating with the media.
When asked by Television Vijesti about the reasons for adopting the new annex, despite the binding court ruling, this health institution did not respond directly, but instead sent a statement regarding the specific case to all media outlets, except for the journalist who asked the questions.
In that statement, KCCG accuses the courts of interfering in the organization of work and claims that it is the exclusive right of the director to appoint and dismiss clinic managers, thus questioning case law and the binding force of final judgments.
"With the verdict issued by the acting judge Mirza Ademović, he interfered in the jurisdiction of the organization of the work of the KCCG," said the KCCG.
"During my work, no proceedings were ever initiated against me, nor were I pointed out the shortcomings or omissions in my work that they are now alleging," said Radojičić.
She announces new legal steps, including a request for forced execution of the court decision.
"And the special prosecutor's office should, as an official duty, initiate proceedings for abuse of office. If they don't do that, I will file that request," said Radojičić.
The question, however, is how viable the court route is because, according to the logic of the KCCG leadership, their decisions are above final court decisions.
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