Nataša Bošković Resigns as Special Prosecutor in Montenegro

Nataša Bošković has stepped down from her role as Montenegro’s Special Prosecutor. The Prosecutorial Council announced her dismissal during a session held on October 3, 2023. According to the council’s statement, Bošković’s departure is effective immediately, following her voluntary resignation.

Bošković was previously nominated as a candidate for the Constitutional Court of Montenegro by the organization Action for Social Justice. Throughout her tenure, she faced criticism for allegedly failing to respond adequately to various complaints over the years.

Prosecutorial Council Decisions and Complaints

During the same session, the Prosecutorial Council approved a decision to increase the base salary for certain positions within the State Prosecutor’s Office by up to 30%. This adjustment will affect government employees and civil servants designated under Article 9 of the Collective Agreement for Administration and Justice.

The council also reviewed ten complaints regarding the legality of the actions taken by state prosecutors and heads of state prosecutor’s offices. Of these complaints, six were deemed unfounded, while two were previously addressed by the Prosecutorial Council. One complaint was referred to the appropriate state prosecutor’s office for further action, and another was determined to not pertain to issues of legality.

Concerns Over Independence

Additionally, three complaints were presented concerning the independence of state prosecutors and their ability to perform their duties free from external pressures. The council determined that all three complaints were valid, indicating a need for ongoing attention to the autonomy of prosecutorial functions in Montenegro.

The developments surrounding Bošković’s resignation and the council’s decisions highlight the ongoing challenges within the Montenegrin judicial system. The focus on both salary adjustments and the scrutiny of prosecutors’ independence underscores the complexities facing legal institutions in the region.