|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
On 19 May 2008, a Podgorica court ordered Vijesti, Montenegro’s
only independent daily, to pay Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic €20,000 for
defamation. Mr Djukanovic had sought €1 million for damage to his reputation
from the newspaper’s director Zeljko Ivanovic, editor-in-chief Ljubisa Mitrovic
and publishing company Daily Press. Vijesti has lodged an appeal against the award.
Although the award is far less than the Prime Minister
had asked for, Mr Ivanovic sees the court’s decision as a clear warning to the
press not to criticise the government.
The case arose from comments made by Mr Ivanovic after
he was attacked by three men early in the morning on 2 September in Podgorica
and beaten with baseball bats and metal rods while returning from the
celebration of the 10th anniversary of his newspaper.
Mr Ivanovic told media that his beating was a
“greeting card” from those who rule Montenegro, Milo Djukanovic and
“his family”. Most media reported Mr Ivanovic’s comments, but only Vijesti was sued.
Mr Ivanovic stands by his claim that responsibility for the attack lies with the
Prime Minister and his associates for creating an atmosphere in which violence
against journalists is acceptable.
The grounds for appeal include that the trial judge displayed bias.
|
|
| |
