Centre for Civic Education (CCE), marking the eighth years of the attempted murder of journalist Olivera Lakić, which took place on 8 May 2018, points out that this case remains one of the most serious unresolved issues in the areas of the rule of law, journalist safety, and the protection of media freedom in Montenegro.
Despite the significant passage of time since this grave attack, the court proceedings still have no final judicial outcome and continue to be marked by repeated delays, including the most recent postponement in February this year due to requests for the recusal of the judicial panel and the president of the court. This effectively prolongs uncertainty and distances justice from the victim. CCE emphasises that the right to a fair trial does not imply merely the formal conduct of proceedings, but also their completion within a reasonable timeframe, and that standard has been seriously undermined in this case. Frequent postponements, coupled with the absence of a decisive institutional response to evident obstructions, further expose systemic weaknesses that cannot remain unaddressed.
CCE recalls that Olivera Lakić was attacked following years of investigative reporting on organised crime and corruption, and that she had previously been subjected to threats and violence prior to the attack. This case remains one of the indicators of the state’s genuine readiness to protect journalists who work in the public interest and expose unlawful conduct. At the same time, such developments send a message of impunity for attacks on journalists, further deepening the sense of insecurity among media professionals and weakening public trust in institutions that should guarantee justice and security.
CCE further recalls that the effective prosecution of attacks against journalists is an obligation of the state not only under national legislation, but also within the framework of international standards and commitments undertaken by Montenegro as a candidate country for membership in the European Union. Without visible results in cases such as this one, it is difficult to speak of substantive progress in the area of the rule of law or of overcoming the gap between normative solutions and their implementation in practice.
CCE therefore calls on the competent institutions to ensure the conditions for an efficient and accountable conduct of the proceedings, alongside clearly addressing all forms of obstruction, regardless of their source. It is also necessary to strengthen mechanisms that would prevent the abuse of procedural rights, so that complex cases do not become hostages of endless procedural delays. Indeed, each new postponement further deepens doubts as to whether the system can respond adequately to such challenges.
Finally, CCE points to the need to establish accountability for the current situation, as well as the necessity of concrete and consistent steps aimed at ending the practice of impunity in cases involving attacks on journalists. Otherwise, this case risks remaining a long-standing reminder of the system’s weaknesses in delivering justice precisely when it is needed most.
CCE will continue to closely monitor these proceedings and underline their importance, while expecting the competent institutions to demonstrate greater responsibility, as timely justice is essential both for the protection of individuals, particularly those acting in the public interest, and for maintaining citizens’ trust in institutions.
Nikola Obradović, Programme Associate