CGO Marks Three Years Since Criminal Report Against Bratic

The Center for Civic Education (CGO) has announced that it is now three years since the filing of a criminal report against former officials of Montenegro’s Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sport, led by Vesna Bratic. The report, submitted on December 23, 2020, alleges abuse of office through unlawful dismissals of directors in educational institutions during 2021. CGO expressed concern over what they describe as the persistent inaction of the Special State Prosecutor’s Office (SDT), indicating a selective approach contrary to the principles of the rule of law.

CGO’s report highlights the unprecedented mass dismissals of public education directors as necessitating urgent and prioritized action. According to CGO, the actions of the former minister indicated a clear intent to remove directors appointed by the previous administration to benefit representatives of the new government. The dismissals lacked individual assessments of performance, leading to absurd situations, including the dismissal of deceased individuals due to rapid processing of standardized solutions. Ivan Vukcevic, the coordinator of CGO’s Human Rights Program, underscored these points in a statement.

Numerous stakeholders, including CGO, publicly warned the previous leadership of the Ministry, headed by Bratic, that the proposed actions would be illegal. The former Prime Minister, Zdravko Krivokapic, confirmed he had also cautioned Bratic about the potential negative consequences. This acknowledgment implies that Bratic and her associates consciously and systematically abused their official positions, holding direct responsibility for the resulting damages.

The ramifications of these actions are evident in approximately 150 lawsuits filed by unlawfully dismissed directors seeking redress. As reported by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Innovation, as of October 1, 2025, a total of €453,041.66 had been paid out in legally concluded cases. The financial burden on the budget is expected to continue rising, given the judicial trends favoring the directors dismissed under the same unlawful basis. Additional unlawful dismissals in the education and culture sectors during Bratic’s mandate further complicate the situation.

CGO noted that the prolonged inactivity of the SDT suggests the existence of a protective status for certain individuals and structures, especially when compared to cases with significantly lesser financial implications where the SDT acted more swiftly. Questions remain about the criteria the SDT uses to prioritize cases and their approach, which appears not to safeguard the public interest.

The absence of a timely response deepens the perception that accountability may depend on political context rather than legal standards, indicating systemic weaknesses within the institutions. The property rights protector has filed the first recourse lawsuit seeking compensation for damages caused by the unlawful dismissals of 30 former directors.

The Basic Court recently issued a first-instance ruling rejecting the request for Bratic to be obligated to pay €15,281 in state costs for litigation. This decision further solidifies the perception of her untouchability, according to CGO.

CGO stresses that only consistent and non-selective action can ensure the effective functioning of the prosecutor’s office as an independent body supporting the rule of law. They highlighted particular concern regarding another case questioning Bratic’s responsibility, which involves a double negative opinion from the State Audit Institution concerning the unlawful expenditure of millions.

For a country on an accelerated path to EU membership, such practices reveal deeply rooted issues in key chapters 23 and 24, crucial for concluding negotiations. The EU expects an independent and credible judiciary that guarantees legality, non-selectivity, justice, and accountability.

In conclusion, CGO anticipates that the SDT will finally address this case with professionalism and responsibility, as it pertains to a matter of public interest that directly affects citizen trust in institutions and the overall evaluation of their performance in the EU negotiation process. CGO plans to present a summary of this case to relevant international audiences monitoring the rule of law in Montenegro.