REACTION OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS SOS TELEPHONE BERANE, WOMEN’S RIGHTS CENTER, WOMEN’S SAFE HOUSE, SOS TELEPHONE PODGORICA, SOS TELEPHONE NIKSIC, SPECTRA AND HUMAN RIGHTS ACTION

REACTION OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS SOS TELEPHONE BERANE, WOMEN’S RIGHTS CENTER, WOMEN’S SAFE HOUSE, SOS TELEPHONE PODGORICA, SOS TELEPHONE NIKSIC, SPECTRA AND HUMAN RIGHTS ACTION

ON THE CASE OF VIOLENCE IN BERANE

Basic State Prosecutor’s Office Berane

                                    Sujkovic Amra, Deputy Chief

Podgorica, November 1 2019

Dear Ms Sujkovic,

We are addressing you about the case of the beating of a single mother, Jelena Krstic, who lives and works in Berane, who was attacked and seriously injured in the workplace by Muhamed Ramusovic. Yesterday, SOS Telephone activists in Berane visited Jelena Krstic at Berane General Hospital and on behalf of NGOs dealing with the protection of the rights of women and children victims of violence, supported her and offered assistance. Based on the conversation of the SOS Telephone activist with the injured party and media photos, it is evident that Jelena is in bad condition because of the violence committed against her by Muhamed Ramusovic, for which she was kept in hospital and unable to care for her minor children and to do the work on which their livelihood depends. We have learned from several media outlets that they consider the defendant a person of interest. It is also alleged that the police filed a criminal complaint against Muhamed Ramusovic for the violent behavior, but that he was released after being heard at the Basic State Prosecutor’s Office in Berane. We think that it is in the public interest to obtain information as to why the duty prosecutor defined to release the defendant Ramusovic, who, through wanton violence, without any reason, injured the aggrieved party in to the extent that she needs hospital treatment. We also ask you to explain how you ensured Jelena Krstic’s security and her continued protection against threats and intimidation.

Action of Basic State Prosecutor’s Office in Berane is critical to the success of the entire proceeding, and in particular it is important to ensure timely and effective protection and respect for the rights of victims of violence, and therefore we require Basic State Prosecutor’s Office in Berane to take all measures within its jurisdiction to this case is brought to justice and the victim protected.

NGO SOS Telephone Berane

NGO Women’s Rights Center, Podgorica

NGO Women’s Safe House, Podgorica

NGO SOS Telephone Podgorica

NGO SOS Telephone Niksic

NGO Spectra, Podgorica

NGO Human Rights Action, Podgorica