Milatović promulgates Law on Confiscation of Proceeds of Crime: Crime must not be profitable

Montenegro’s President Jakov Milatović has promulgated the Law on the Confiscation of Proceeds Obtained Through Criminal Activity, which was previously adopted by the Parliament of Montenegro.

The Office for Public Relations of the President of Montenegro said that the adoption of the law represents an important step forward in the country’s more decisive fight against organised crime and corruption.

- The state’s response to crime must not be limited to the criminal prosecution and punishment of offenders, but must also include the effective confiscation of proceeds obtained through criminal activity. Only in this way can a clear message be sent that crime must not be profitable - the statement said.

They stressed that, for Montenegro, which is in the final stage of its European integration process, a determined fight against corruption and organised crime is an issue of particular national importance.

- The European path is not merely a process of aligning legislation with European standards, but above all a process of building a state in which citizens have confidence in institutions and in which crime does not go without an adequate state response - the statement said.

The President’s Office for Public Relations also said that the adoption of the law confirms Montenegro’s commitment to achieving its strategic goals through the effective protection of the public interest.

- At the same time, its full value will only be confirmed through consistent, impartial and non-selective implementation in practice - the statement concluded.