29 March 2019 - Positive trends and results from 2017 continued in 2018 as well, which testifies to a high degree of confidence in the work of the Ministry of the Interior and the Police, Interior Minister Mevludin Nuhodžić told the press following the Government of Montenegro's session.
When it comes to providing services for issuing personal documents, he said that the quality level was increased and that wait times at queue lines were reduced and that in the coming period, efforts will be invested in making services even more accessible to citizens and businesses. The Interior Minister announced that it is planned to create new personal identification documents of the so-called third generation to provide citizens with easier access to electronic services.
To adopt the Schengen standards, modern equipment for border crossings was installed, Minster Nuhodžić explained, adding that the construction or reconstruction of the border crossings Ranča, Šćepan Polje and Vraćenovići will start this year, thus enabling the easier flow of people and increasing safety and security of the borders.
Presenting the results of the work of the Police, Minister Nuhodžić emphasised that the overall state of security in Montenegro is based primarily on the good collaboration of the Police and the Special State Prosecutor's Office.
"In cooperation with the Prosecutor's Office, and especially with the Special State Prosecutor's Office, 180 criminal charges were filed against members of organised criminal groups and persons of interest. These are better results compared to 2017 when 48 criminal reports were filed. Execution of more than 20 planned liquidations of members of opposing criminal groups was prevented, which is a better result compared to 2017 when seven liquidations were prevented," he said.
High-ranking members of organised criminal groups had been on the run in previous years, but in 2018 some of them for whom the INTERPOL issued international arrest warrants were apprehended (arrests in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Kosovo and Turkey), and the fight against drug dealers was continued by seizing over 3 tonnes of various narcotics, the Interior Minister noted.
"The trend of the rise of juvenile delinquency by 15.8 % concerns us. This is a clear signal that all institutions should make a greater contribution because these days we have witnessed peer violence among the youngest population that is supposed to be the future of this society," Minister Nuhodžić said.
He added that traffic safety was improved, as evidenced by the fact that the number of deaths decreased by 23.8%, and that the number of serious and minor injuries was reduced. He also recalled that Montenegro was one of the cleanest tourist destinations last summer.
"Priorities in the work of the Interior Ministry and the Police this year will be the protection and respect of human rights of citizens, maintenance of public order and peace, continuation of the fight against organised crime, illuminating the most serious crimes, primarily murders, suppression of street drug sale, as well as fight against all forms of violence, promotion of regional and international cooperation, strengthening cooperation with citizens," emphasised Minister Nuhodžić.
He concluded by saying that about in the penal policy - there is scope for strengthening sanctions for multiple returnees and perpetrators of serious crimes, which is also an important preventive mechanism.
