Latest News from Montenegro
BIRN Fact-Check: Can Montenegro’s new Minority Govt Deliver Consensus on Key Reforms?
The leader of the Black-on-White bloc, Abazovic, was elected Prime Minister by 45 votes in the 81-seat chamber, supported by his own coalition, the pro-Serbian Socialist People's Party and the former opposition Democratic Party of Socialists, DPS, the Social Democratic Party, the Bosniak Party and two ethnic Albanian coalitions.
New Montenegrin Govt Awaits MPs’ Approval Amid Political Uncertainty
Prime Minister-designate Dritan Abazovic at a press conference in Podgorica. Photo: Government of Montenegro
"The government will have five priority areas of action. We will be focused on the fight against corruption, more sustainable investments, EU integration, sustainable development and environmental protection," Abazovic said.
Encrypted Phone Crack No Silver Bullet against Balkan Crime Gangs
When a French and Dutch-led police operation cracked the code to Sky ECC in February 2021, investigators gained access to a treasure trove of real-time evidence against a host of international crime gangs.
Thousands of people have been arrested around the world based on the Sky ECC takedown; in the Balkans, Saric is the biggest, but he is far from alone.
Montenegro Arrests Ex-Head of Supreme Court for Abuse of Office
Former president of the Montenegrin Supreme Court Vesna Medenica at a press conference. Photo: PR Centar
In the transcripts of the conversations using the encrypted messaging application Sky ECC, Milos Medenica claimed his mother was aware of their illegal business and said that they can expect protection from her.
Media reported that she was arrested for abuse of office.
Former President of the Montenegrin Supreme Court arrested
The news was confirmed to "Vijesti" and "Vijesti" Television from several sources from the Police Administration.
According to reliable information, Medenica was detained due to a well-founded suspicion that she committed two criminal acts - creation of a criminal organization and abuse of official position, according to the portal Vijesti.
Germany states: "New era"
Olaf Scholz called for accelerating the accession of the Western Balkans to the European Union, which has been blocked for years, mentioning a "new era" in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
At a joint press conference with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised to help advance the issue.
BIRN Offers Grants to Explore War Crimes Archives
The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network has launched a call for proposals for small projects by journalists, artists, historians and civil society activists covering topics related to the archives of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and domestic courts in former Yugoslav countries that dealt with war crimes cases.