The Human Rights Action (HRA) expresses its protest against the statements made by Defense Minister Dragan Krapovi? regarding attorney Veselin Radulovi?, which resort to personal disqualifications and accusations of connections to organized crime instead of providing a reasoned response to the filed criminal complaints. They also include threats of further confrontations with Radulovi? and anyone who dares to point out potential abuses of power, as stated by the Human Rights Action (HRA).
Three UN rapporteurs have expressed concern to the Government of Montenegro regarding such pressure back in November 2025.
They add that the statements made by Minister Krapovi?, claiming that lawyer Radulovi? is “part of a team that includes criminal clans and organized crime groups” due to filing criminal complaints against officials of the Democrats, that he is “just a small cog,” and that as a “participant in the witch hunt he will be held accountable,” along with the assertion that “one instructed MP has already been thrown under the speeding political train” and that “Radulovi? is next,” represent unacceptable threats.
“Furthermore, Minister Krapovi? has unfoundedly accused lawyer Radulovi? of being part of a group of individuals who are ‘intertwined and organized with the intent to jeopardize the safety of the Director of the Police Administration through hybrid actions,’ simply because he publicly represented two individuals accused of intending to endanger the police director for filming an expensive ‘Maybach’ vehicle in which he was traveling,” the statement reads.
They emphasize that filing criminal complaints is a fundamental right of every citizen. The validity of these complaints is not determined by ministers or other political officials, but by the competent state prosecutor’s offices and courts.
As they point out, it is unacceptable for the authorities to preemptively disqualify the complainant, to unfoundedly attribute connections to organized crime, or to portray them as part of an alleged political conspiracy.
“We remind you that the UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers has already stated that the Government of Montenegro must ensure conditions for lawyers to carry out their activities without interference and intimidation. Lawyers have always acted and made public statements. The actions of a government member, Minister Krapovi?, are directly contrary to this standard,” the statement emphasizes.
They add that it is important to remember that lawyer Radulovi? has so far filed 14 criminal complaints against the Democratic Party of Montenegro, its officials, and other related individuals, highlighting suspicions of legal violations and abuse of power.
