Over the past two years, Montenegro has strengthened its framework for tackling serious organized crime and corruption cases. Findings from the OSCE Mission to Montenegro's trial monitoring work suggest that the next step is to ensure these reforms translate into sustained implementation. These findings are part of the second report from the OSCE's Regional Trial Monitoring Project - Combatting Organised Crime and Corruption in the Western Balkans , published today.
Over the past two years, the Mission's Trial Monitoring team monitored 1,018 hearings in 61 cases and held nearly 100 meetings and consultations with justice sector stakeholders. Their findings point to progress across Montenegro's justice system while identifying areas where further improvements can be made.
Among the key developments identified in the report is a more focused mandate for the Special State Prosecutor's Office (SPO) and the Specialized Department of the High Court in Podgorica, enabling both institutions to concentrate on the most complex organized crime and corruption cases.
The report also notes new binding instructions on financial investigations, stronger safeguards for prosecutorial autonomy, and Supreme Court efforts to harmonize judicial practice, particularly in money laundering cases. Guidelines on criminal sanctions and trial management, alongside more direct communication between the Judicial Council, courts and judges, have also supported improvements in practice.
Further support for these efforts includes specialized training provided by the Centre for Training in the Judiciary and State Prosecution Service, as well as improved appraisal systems for judges and prosecutors.
The report nonetheless notes that progress should be accompanied by sustained implementation. Priorities identified in the report include further improvements in the efficiency of complex cases, more final judgements, and stronger permanent confiscation of assets derived from criminal activity.
Other areas requiring further attention include improving the premises of the Specialized Department of the High Court in Podgorica, raising the quality of prosecutorial and judicial acts, and strengthening transparency and safeguards against undue external influence.
Welcoming the report's publication, the Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, Ambassador Jan Haukaas, highlighted the uptake of the Project's recommendations by Montenegrin justice institutions as a constructive contribution to reform.
"The Project's recommendations have helped shape the justice system's strategic priorities, with many already implemented or underway. This demonstrates that independent trial monitoring, combined with open dialogue and institutional commitment, can contribute to positive change," stated Ambassador Haukaas.
