Photographer Sues Police and Church Over Assault in Montenegro

Stevo Vasiljević, a photojournalist for the newspaper “Pobjeda,” has initiated legal action against the Police Administration and the Eparchy of Budimlja-Nikšić. He claims damages for violations of personal rights and the destruction of his photographic equipment during an incident in Gornje Zaostro, Montenegro, which took place on August 8, 2023. This event involved the controversial removal of a monument dedicated to World War II figure Pavle Đurišić.

The incident has drawn significant public attention, especially as over 100 days have passed without the police or prosecution identifying the individuals responsible for physically assaulting Vasiljević. During the event, he faced harassment, was threatened with a glass bottle and a knife, and reported that the police failed to ensure public order and safety for both citizens and journalists.

Vasiljević’s lawsuit alleges that the Eparchy of Budimlja-Nikšić, as the event’s host and informal organizer, did not take adequate measures to control the crowd, despite the clear risks associated with the gathering. Witnesses reported that the atmosphere became hostile when Vasiljević and his colleagues attempted to document the monument’s removal.

He described a harrowing experience where he was held in a tent, subjected to physical abuse, and had part of his equipment damaged. Alongside Vasiljević, reporters Boris Pejović and Balša Rudović also faced threats during the incident. Pejović received death threats, while Rudović suffered minor injuries during the attack.

Vasiljević expressed dissatisfaction with how government authorities have handled the situation, stating that their response has been inadequate. He recently testified in a misdemeanor court in Berane, where proceedings are ongoing against five individuals involved in the altercation, including two minors.

On the day of the incident, both Vasiljević and his fellow reporters were apparently unaware of any orders from clergy to refrain from photographing the monument’s removal. They had returned to Gornje Zaostro shortly before the scheduled incident, only to find themselves surrounded by an aggressive crowd that escalated to a near-lynching situation.

Initially, the removal of the monument proceeded without incident, but tensions quickly escalated as journalists attempted to document the event. Vasiljević’s legal actions highlight ongoing concerns about press freedom and the treatment of journalists in volatile situations in Montenegro.

The outcome of this lawsuit could have broader implications, underscoring the need for accountability and the protection of media professionals in the face of violence and intimidation.