Montenegro Reopens Editor’s Murder Investigation

The investigation resumed on Tuesday with the questioning of several top policemen including the former head of the Podgorica force, Milan Vijanovic, and senior officers Milan Tomic and Tihomir Gacevic, Montenegrin media reported.

Jovanovic, who both edited and owned Dan, was shot while leaving his office in Podgorica on May 27, 2004. He had frequently published articles that were strongly critical of the government and had received numerous death threats.

Only one person has been convicted over his killing so far, Damir Mandic, who was jailed for 18 years as an accomplice to the crime. Those behind the murder have yet to be identified.

Last September, state prosecutor Veselin Vuckovic confirmed that he would relaunch the investigation.

"The case will be reopened, because until now only Damir Manic was sentenced but the direct perpetrator has not been discovered," Vuckovic said.

It has already been announced that the prosecution will request additional information from former Interior Minister Andrija Jovicevic, investigating judge Miroslav Basovic and Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Dusko Markovic, who was intelligence chief in 2004.

Last month, the head of a government probe into attacks on journalists, Nikola Markovic, also filed charges against the Deputy Prime Minister for allegedly withholding information from the investigation in 2004.

The OSCE representative on media freedom, Dunja Mijatovic, has urged the authorities to end the apparent climate of impunity for attacks on journalists.

“I welcome the fact that there is an ongoing investigation into the case of Dusko Jovanovic. I urge the authorities to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation to identify the perpetrators and bring...