The non-governmental organization (NGO) Center for Civil Rights announced today that it has submitted a criminal complaint against Sanja Mihailović Kovačević, a councilor of the Europe Now Movement (PES) in Berane. The complaint is based on suspicions that she committed criminal offenses under Articles 370 and/or 398 of the Criminal Code of Montenegro, specifically incitement of national hatred and public incitement to violence and hatred.

The statement indicates that the criminal complaint was filed with the Basic State Prosecutor’s Office (ODT) in Berane and the Supreme State Prosecutor’s Office (VDT).

“On May 21, 2025, during a public post on a social media platform celebrating Montenegro’s Independence Day, the aforementioned individual commented: ‘blood was shed’. This remark, given the context of a national holiday celebrated peacefully and respectfully, can be interpreted as hate speech and an effort to provoke intolerance, incite conflict, and intimidate or undermine those who honor that day,” the Center for Civil Rights stated in a declaration authored by Svetlana Pajović Music, an authorized representative.

The statement further elaborated that the comment is publicly accessible, which heightens the potential for harm, particularly as the individual who posted it is a respected and trusted figure (a qualified doctor).

“We want to highlight that the Supreme State Prosecutor’s Office has issued an Instruction mandating all relevant prosecutors’ offices to address cases involving elements of hate speech in accordance with international guidelines, including those from the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI). This Instruction requires prosecutors to meticulously evaluate any public expression that could incite hatred, intolerance, discrimination, or violence against particular groups or individuals. We urge the competent basic (state) prosecutor’s office to thoroughly investigate this complaint and take necessary investigative actions to determine if there are elements of a criminal offense under Articles 370 and/or 398 of the Criminal Code of Montenegro, paying close attention to the obligations arising from the aforementioned Instruction of the Supreme State Prosecutor’s Office,” the statement concludes.

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