Olivera Lakić, shot and wounded

On 8 May 2018 Olivera Lakić, a Montenegrin investigative reporter who covers crime and corruption, was shot outside her home in the capital, Podgorica.

Olivera Lakić is a journalist and writes about corruption, including cases which involve state officials and their families, for the Montenegrin newspaper Vijesti. Prime Minister Duško Marković, who has long denied allegations of corruption related to his party, has condemned the attack and ordered an investigation.

Olivera Lakić was shot outside her apartment at about 21:00 on Tuesday 8 May, and was wounded in the right leg. She was taken to hospital and has since been released. A search for her attackers is underway; surveillance cameras in the area are being reviewed and and controls throughout the city have increased.

This is not the first time Olivera Lakić has been attacked. In 2012 Olivera Lakić was beaten, also in front of her home, after publishing a series of articles on an alleged cigarette smuggling operation. She had reported that the operation had involved police and the National Security Agency. She was able to identify her attacker, who was later arrested by police.

On 9 May, hundreds protested in Podgorica carrying banners with "Stop Violence" and "For A Life Without Fear" on them, and demanding that the authorities find the assailants. On 11 May Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, said that the attack on Olivera Lakić may hamper Montenegro’s hopes for EU accession.

Front Line Defenders strongly condemns the attack on Olivera Lakić, which it believes was motivated solely by her legitimate and peaceful activities in defence of human rights in Montenegro.

Front Line Defenders urges the authorities in Montenegro to:

1. Carry out an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the attacks carried out against Olivera Lakić, with a view to publishing the results and bringing those responsible to justice in accordance with international standards;

2. Take all necessary measures, in consultation with the human rights defender, to guarantee her physical and psychological integrity and security;

3. Guarantee in all circumstances that all human rights defenders in Montenegro are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions.