Montenegro: Investigative journalist sentenced to 18 months in prison

WrittenBy:NL Team
Date:
  • Share this article on whatsapp

On January 15, a Montenegro court convicted investigative journalist Jovo Martinović and sentenced him to 18 months in prison, Committee to Protect Journalists reported. Martinović has been convicted of drug trafficking and being a member of a criminal group. The journalist has denied the charges and said that he believed the charges to be retaliation for his reporting, the report added.

subscription-appeal-image

Support Independent Media

The media must be free and fair, uninfluenced by corporate or state interests. That's why you, the public, need to pay to keep news free.

Contribute

“I have been convicted for being a journalist,” Martinović was quoted as saying by Balkan Insight, the online publication of the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN). He added, “If I really had any business with marijuana I would have been acquitted, like all those who are really in the narcotics [business].”

CPJ reports that the journalist would appeal this verdict. Martinović is free pending the outcome of the appeal.

“Martinović was first detained on October 22, 2015, along with 17 others, on suspicion of participating in a drug trafficking ring. Authorities charged him with allegedly facilitating a meeting between drug dealers and buyers. The journalist was released pending the outcome of his trial, and put under a travel ban in January 2017. His release came after an international outcry, including by CPJ,” the report states.

subscription-appeal-image

Power NL-TNM Election Fund

General elections are around the corner, and Newslaundry and The News Minute have ambitious plans together to focus on the issues that really matter to the voter. From political funding to battleground states, media coverage to 10 years of Modi, choose a project you would like to support and power our journalism.

Ground reportage is central to public interest journalism. Only readers like you can make it possible. Will you?

Support now

You may also like