Novović: SDT has frozen around 64 million euros in banks

Montenegro has achieved measurable progress in strengthening its criminal justice system, and the results in prosecuting organised criminal groups and high-level corruption have become increasingly visible, with a focus on ensuring that these achievements are durable, sustainable, and firmly embedded in institutional practice. This was stated at the third panel, “Raising Standards in the Fight against Organised Crime and High-Level Corruption – Strengthening the ‘Criminal Chain’ and Achieving Sustainable Results”, held within the Rule of Law Forum 2025, organised by the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro, the Government of Montenegro, and the EUROL IV project.

The Chief Special Prosecutor, Vladimir Novović, emphasised that Montenegro was recognised in the European Commission’s report for its progress addressing war crimes and high-level corruption.

According to him, during the reporting period, the SDT filed 19 indictments against 105 individuals for the most serious criminal offences of organised crime: international smuggling of narcotics and cigarettes, as well as grave crimes against life.

“During the reporting period, which coincides with the European Commission’s Report, the indictments brought by the SDT include the smuggling of over 100,000 packets of cigarettes, where the likely damage to the state amounts to over 75 million euros, while the criminal organisations prosecuted were smuggling more than three tonnes of cocaine.”

Novović recalled that the SDT was the first to hold that SKY/ECC communication is a legally valid form of evidence.

“We insisted on this even when others did not dare to speak about it. Today, it is confirmed in EU Member States,” said Novović.

He rejected claims that a verdict cannot be based solely on such material, stressing that the Criminal Procedure Code imposes limitations only on protected and cooperating witnesses.

Novović believes that Montenegro has fully adopted European practice regarding the parallel conduct of financial and criminal investigations, noting that 21 financial investigations have been launched against 137 natural persons and three legal entities, followed by a large number of accompanying financial reports.

Montenegro is recording measurable progress, and institutional standards have been significantly raised. We have adopted European standards—from evidentiary procedures and financial investigations to the temporary seizure of assets. Our goal is for these results to become sustainable and for the fight against organised crime and corruption to have a lasting effect,” stated Novović.

Judge of the Supreme Court of Montenegro, Milenka Seka Žižić, emphasised that the fight against organised crime and high-level corruption requires a strong, organised, and continuously professionalised judiciary.

Speaking about performance results, Žižić said that the Special Department of the High Court in Podgorica has recorded a significant caseload over the past five years—215 cases, of which 118 are active, while 47 have been resolved this year. She explained that the large number of joined cases reflects the complexity of proceedings involving organised criminal groups.

Žižić stressed that the Special Department today has significantly greater capacity compared with previous years, noting that 14 judges are serving in the department, many times more than before.

However, she added that the number of judges alone is insufficient, highlighting the need for advisers, record-keepers, administrative and technical support, and adequately equipped courtrooms—all essential to ensuring that proceedings run efficiently with no delays.

Žižić stated that judges handling organised crime cases must benefit from full institutional protection.

“A judge must never have doubts about whether the state is protecting them. This is a prerequisite for young legal professionals to choose careers in the judiciary and to engage in the most demanding areas,” said Žižić.

She pointed out that cases of organised crime and corruption require continuous training in areas such as financial forensics, digital evidence, and international legal assistance, stressing that without ongoing professional development, there can be no improvement in results.

Žižić believes that success is not measured solely by the number of verdicts, but also by the quality of decisions, the length of proceedings, the value of confiscated assets, and public trust.

“Efficiency is not contrary to fairness—it is its prerequisite. When courts act swiftly, lawfully, and transparently, we send a clear message about the strength of the judiciary and raise the standards in the fight against organised crime and corruption,” Žižić stated.

Acting Director of the Police Directorate, Lazar Šćepanović, presented results which, according to assessments by the European Commission, confirm Montenegro’s visible progress in combating organised crime and corruption.

He stressed that the Police Directorate has carried out deep reforms in the past year—from depoliticisation and strengthening operational independence to restructuring and uncovering criminal activities within its own ranks—“which has restored the trust of international partners.”

“From October last year to October this year, 90 % of serious criminal offences linked to organised crime have been solved, including seven aggravated murders and attempted murders. Seven planned liquidations were prevented, and more than 700 members of criminal groups were prosecuted. In the fight against narcotics, more than 3.5 tonnes of drugs were seized in Montenegro, while internationally, more than 40 persons suspected of smuggling around ten tonnes of cocaine were prosecuted. Criminal assets worth ten million euros have also been frozen,” Šćepanović stated.

He emphasised that corruption in Montenegro is no longer a “protected zone”, noting that more than 160 persons involved in economic crime have been prosecuted, with total damages estimated at around 110 million euros.

“One hundred and twenty-three tax evasion offences have been uncovered, with damage to the budget of around nine million euros. In the area of money laundering, 25 criminal offences have been uncovered. In the area of illegal migration and human trafficking, 30 criminal offences have been identified, and individuals responsible for smuggling between 370 and 400 migrants have been prosecuted,” said Šćepanović.

He recalled that, after a period of stagnation in international cooperation, Montenegro has restored full intelligence-data exchange with Europol and other services.

“As the first country in the Western Balkans, it has established a joint operational room—SPOC 24/7—for real-time information exchange. New units for air and maritime traffic control have also been established,” stated Šćepanović.

Šćepanović concluded that the state has significantly strengthened the “criminal chain”, from detection to prosecution, and that the results achieved form a solid foundation for further raising standards in the fight against organised crime and high-level corruption.