A Montenegrin court ruled that publishing leaked Sky messaging transcripts mentioning Andrej Vucic, the brother of the Serbian president, was a matter of public interest, and that, as a public figure and active political participant in Serbia, Vucic must tolerate a higher degree of public scrutiny and criticism.
The Basic Court in Podgorica issued a first-instance ruling rejecting Andrej Vucic’s claim for 5,000 euros in damages for injury to his honor and reputation. The lawsuit was filed against the Montenegrin daily Vijesti, its editor-in-chief, its crime editor, and a journalist. Instead of receiving damages, Vucic has been ordered to pay the defendants 3,403 euros in legal costs, Vijesti reported.
Judge Jelena Andjelic also denied a request to remove a January 2024 article from the Vijesti portal titled “Zvonko and Andrej celebrated a billion…”, as well as a request for the editor-in-chief to publish the verdict at his own expense.
The case centered on an article in which Vijesti quoted excerpts from the Sky messaging app in which specific messages were allegedly exchanged between fugitive police officer Ljubo Milovic and Niksic resident Milos Bozovic. The transcripts mention the security services of Montenegro and Serbia, criminal clans, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, his brother Andrej, and Kosovo-based businessman Zvonko Veselinovic.
The court said that, in reaching its decision, it specifically weighed whether Andrej Vucic is a public figure, whether the article served the public interest, and whether a ruling against the media would produce a “chilling effect” on public debate, among other factors.
In its ruling, the court said it reviewed the website of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and determined that Vucic is a member of the party’s executive board, and that he has attended high-level party meetings. This led the court to conclude that Andrej Vucic “actively and publicly participates in the political life of the Republic of Serbia, and makes public appearances regarding important issues,” making him a public figure subject to public oversight.
“As a result, the plaintiff – as a public figure who, due to his role, influence, public actions, or voluntary entry into the public sphere, must tolerate a broader degree of public criticism and interest and thereby be subject to public scrutiny – is someone for whom there clearly exists a greater legitimate public interest,” the court said.
In its rationale, the court stated that the article was in the public interest: “The court holds that the text in question constitutes reporting on a matter of public interest, given that it pertains to the content of Sky communications between individuals facing criminal proceedings for organized crime, and that the brother of the president of the Republic of Serbia is mentioned in those communications.”
The rationale further adds that the court gave special consideration to the fact that organized crime and its potential links to political structures are matters of exceptional public interest. It emphasized that the public has a right to be informed about the content of communications that are the subject of judicial and prosecutorial proceedings, “especially when they mention individuals who possess political influence or are connected to public officials,” Vijesti reported.
Source: N1
