Medenica acquitted of charges of securing benefits for Zekić and abuse of office

Former President of the Supreme Court Vesna Medenica has been finally acquitted by the Court of Appeals of charges that she abused her official position in 2019 to secure an unlawful benefit for then-Rožaje judge Milosav Zekić.

The Court of Appeals dismissed the appeal filed by the Special State Prosecutor's Office.

Following the delivery of the judgment, Medenica said she was pleased that there are still judges „who are not for sale“.

The High Court had previously issued two judgments in the case, sentencing Medenica to six months' imprisonment on each occasion, but both rulings were overturned by the Court of Appeals.

At the outset of the reopened proceedings before the appellate panel presided over by Judge Srđan Vujović, Medenica once again pleaded not guilty.

- This entire proceeding was initiated to create the impression that Vesna is a multiple criminal, and I am not. I am prepared to be a victim, for those who believe I am one, for the good of Montenegro - Medenica said in her defence.

According to the indictment, she was accused of enabling Zekić to avoid temporary suspension from office despite criminal proceedings pending against him before the Basic Court in Kotor.

She maintained that she did not consider herself guilty and added that, if she were still in office today, she would make the same decision.

- My family members were holders of the Partisan Memorial Medal and gave their lives for Montenegro, so I can do the same - Medenica said.

The prosecution, on the other hand, sought a harsher sentence for Medenica, arguing that, in its view, her guilt had been established beyond doubt.