Operational Coordination Bureau for Intelligence Security Sector holds its sixth session

The Bureau for Operational Coordination of the Intelligence Security Sector held its sixth regular session yesterday, attended by the Minister of Interior, Danilo Šaranović. The meeting addressed several current issues within the jurisdiction of the intelligence security sector.

One of the key facilitators for the operation of high-risk organised criminal groups, which complicates the security situation, was identified as the insufficient effectiveness of judicial proceedings. A significant number of members of organised crime groups have been released from custody due to the failure to render first-instance verdicts, which increases both the number of potential targets and potential perpetrators of serious criminal offenses.

In this regard, the Bureau reiterated the urgent need for amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code to extend the timeframe in which accused individuals can remain in custody. This is aimed at preventing serious security consequences stemming from the release of individuals accused of serious crimes due to the inefficiency of the courts and the failure to issue first-instance verdicts within a three-year timeframe.

While assessing the current security situation, the Bureau acknowledged that despite the significant efforts of the intelligence security sector, which have manifested in the prevention of several serious crimes, there remains a continuity of security challenges caused by the activities of high-risk organised crime groups and their strategic focus on committing serious offenses against life and bodily integrity.

The Bureau emphasised the continuity of cooperation and mutual trust between the intelligence security sector and the prosecutor's office over the past period, while also highlighting the obligation of the intelligence security sector to intensify activities aimed at reducing security risks and combating the activities of high-risk organised crime groups.

In this context, the Bureau expressed support for preliminary activities to expand the public space video surveillance system, with expectations that this project will be implemented in more municipalities across Montenegro in the future.

Analyzing the results achieved by the intelligence security sector between the two Bureau meetings, it was noted that there has been a continuity in achieving notable results through activities aimed at combating high-risk organised crime groups, whose members are charged with drug trafficking and smuggling of excise goods, as well as efforts to combat illegal migration and human trafficking, with particular emphasis on progressive results in prosecuting economic and environmental crimes.

The Bureau also addressed other matters within its jurisdiction, which will be communicated to the public in a subsequent announcement due to the extensive nature of the information discussed.