Montenegro’s State Prosecutor’s Office had an intense year in 2024, with a significant increase in criminal cases and surveillance activities. According to their official report submitted to the Parliament of Montenegro, 105 cases were initiated under secret surveillance, with prosecutors proposing a total of 267 measures. Out of those, 262 were approved, and only one was rejected showing just how active and impactful covert investigative methods have become.
The report states that covert measures against nine individuals led to formal indictments. Evidence gathered through these secret actions was used in cases involving five individuals prosecuted by the High State Prosecutor’s Office in Podgorica, two cases handled by the Special State Prosecutor’s Office (SDT), and one each in the Basic Prosecutor’s Office in Podgorica and the Higher Prosecutor’s Office in Bijelo Polje.
SDT requested secret surveillance in 15 criminal cases, which included phone tapping and remote communications monitoring in 55 instances, computer data interception in two cases, and covert entry for photographing, video, and audio surveillance in 40 cases.
Rise in Criminal Reports – Especially Against Adults:
The report also shows that in 2024, there was a 13.55% increase in criminal complaints involving adult offenders compared to the previous year. These were handled by the Basic, High, and Special State Prosecutor’s Offices. Interestingly, when it comes to crimes specifically under the jurisdiction of the SDT, there was a 5.07% decrease in the number of reported individuals.
Looking at the breakdown of crimes under the SDT:
- 72.78% were related to high-level corruption;
- 14.03% to organized crime;
- 2,40% to money laundering, and
- 10,79% to other offenses.
Despite the high volume, there was a 9.95% drop in individuals reported for organized crime, which may reflect a shift in patterns or better preventive measures.
Here are some key stats:
- 199 new criminal complaints were filed in 2024.
- When combined with 68 unresolved cases from previous years, a total of 267 individuals were under investigation.
- Out of these, 106 complaints were dismissed, 96 individuals faced official investigations, and one person was directly indicted.
It’s pretty staggering to see how much criminal activity is being tracked and tackled in Montenegro right now. The level of surveillance and the number of indictments especially tied to corruption and organized crime shows that prosecutors are digging deep.
That said, it also paints a picture of a society still facing serious issues at the top levels of power. It’s encouraging to see more attention being paid to juvenile justice and smarter alternatives for young people that’s a step in the right direction. But with thousands of adults facing serious charges, it’s clear the system still has a long road ahead when it comes to cleaning things up and building long-term trust.
Written by our correspondent A.A.
