Montenegrin Court Rules Against Deputy PM for Defamation of Journalist

Podgorica, Montenegro – In a landmark ruling, a Montenegrin court found Deputy Prime Minister Dritan Abazović guilty of defaming journalist Danilo Ajković. The court ordered Abazović to pay Ajković €1,800 in damages and publish a public apology in the newspaper Vijesti and on their online portal. Ajković, a journalist for Vijesti TV, had sued Abazović over statements made in December 2022, which Ajković claimed were false and damaging to his reputation. "The court's decision is a victory not just for me, but for all journalists in Montenegro who fight for truth and freedom of expression," Ajković stated in an interview following the verdict. The ruling underscores the importance of protecting journalists from defamation and highlights ongoing tensions between the government and the press in Montenegro. This case is not isolated, as Ajković has initiated further legal proceedings against Abazović. The court's decision serves as a significant development in the ongoing struggle for press freedom in Montenegro.