By Since May 27, 2004, when former editor-in-chief of the daily Dan, Duško Jovanović, was murdered, many governments, political structures, and officeholders in the security and judicial sectors have changed in Montenegro. However, what remains unchanged is the institutional inefficiency in this case and the fact that those who ordered the murder are still beyond the reach of justice.
Just before the anniversary of the murder, Damir Mandić completed his 19-year prison sentence for complicity. This marked the formal conclusion of the only sentence handed down in this case.
Besides the masterminds and others involved in this crime, no one has been held accountable for the numerous serious investigative failures—failures which, according to domestic and international experts, compromised the chances of uncovering the truth. Then, as now—21 years after the murder—impunity sends the message that journalists can be shot without consequence.
It is a positive sign that Chief State Prosecutor Milorad Marković recently emphasized, in a binding directive to state prosecutors, the need to intensify investigations into attacks on journalists and their property. Still, we must recall that similarly grand promises, special case formations, and ad hoc actions in the past have failed to produce results.
The Trade Union of Media of Montenegro states that as long as this murder remains unresolved, there can be no true media freedom, institutional independence, or rule of law in Montenegro. We owe it to Duško Jovanović to continue demanding the truth about his murder.
