No Charges Filed in Tragic Death of Tijana Radonjic in Montenegro

The Kotor State Prosecutor’s Office has concluded that no one is criminally responsible for the death of nineteen-year-old Tijana Radonjic during a paragliding incident in Budva. This decision comes nearly nine months after the tragic event, which took place on May 28, 2025. According to the prosecutor’s report, there is no basis for charges against the organizers or crew involved in the activity.

The prosecutor’s office stated that there was insufficient evidence to support claims of serious endangerment or any other criminal act. This conclusion was met with disappointment from Radonjic’s family, who have expressed their dissatisfaction with the outcome. The family’s lawyer, Mirko Bogicevic, has filed an appeal with the Higher State Prosecutor’s Office, arguing that the initial decision disregarded key evidence and misinterpreted the circumstances surrounding Radonjic’s death.

On the day of the tragedy, Radonjic participated in a promotional paragliding flight organized by the company Jet Sky Budva. The flight began near Slovenska Beach and extended into open waters towards Mogren Beach. As recorded by a camera mounted on the parachute, Radonjic was seen waving and shouting before unbuckling her safety harness and falling into the sea from a height estimated between 50 and 70 meters.

The autopsy conducted at the Clinical Center of Montenegro revealed that her death was due to drowning and respiratory distress caused by inhaling blood from a lung injury. The video evidence, lasting just under 25 minutes, is central to the case, according to Bogicevic. He maintains that the footage contradicts the prosecutor’s assertion that there was no negligence or responsibility on the part of the crew.

In the appeal, Bogicevic argues that the video shows a prolonged period of panic and distress as Radonjic called for help, which went unacknowledged by the crew. “This recording clearly documents her fear lasting two minutes and 25 seconds, during which she requested the ride to stop,” said Bogicevic. He emphasizes that this should have been perceived as a clear signal of danger.

Despite this, the prosecutor noted that the footage does not indicate any equipment failure or spontaneous malfunction of the safety systems, suggesting that Radonjic’s actions led to her fall. The crew’s response time is also under scrutiny, as they reportedly did not notice her absence from the parachute for over four minutes after her fall.

Conflicting accounts from the crew and the owner of Jet Sky Budva, Mirko Krdzic, further complicate the case. While one crew member claimed to have seen Radonjic unbuckling and attempted to lower the parachute, another stated they were unaware of her fall until later. This inconsistency raises questions about the effectiveness of the crew’s response.

The investigation also revealed a lack of technical compliance with safety standards for the paragliding operation. Maritime expert Grujica Dudic pointed out that necessary safety measures were not in place, including the absence of a communication system between the crew and the person in the air. His report concluded that the service provided was inadequately organized, contributing to the loss of life.

In response to the prosecutor’s dismissal of the case, Bogicevic contends that the lack of a direct legal requirement for specific communication devices does not negate the obligation to uphold general safety standards. “Just because the law doesn’t specify every detail doesn’t mean minimum safety measures can be overlooked,” he stated.

The decision by the Kotor State Prosecutor’s Office to dismiss the charges has significant implications for both the Radonjic family and the regulation of high-risk commercial activities in Montenegro. It raises critical questions about accountability in the event of accidents during organized recreational activities.

As the Higher State Prosecutor’s Office reviews the appeal, the outcome could set a precedent for future cases involving commercial activities that carry inherent risks. For the Radonjic family, this is not just a legal issue but a deeply personal quest for justice regarding the loss of a young life.