The tiger „strikes“ at „Sjenke“

Television E, the ETV Portal, and several other independent media outlets in Montenegro have long been targets of leaders of the security sector - the Democrats who control the ministries of interior affairs, the police and defense, as well as the Special State Prosecutor’s Office headed by Vladimir Novović.

This time, the target became the author-led program by Svetlana Đokić - „Sjenke“ („Shadows“), which focuses on mafia clashes.

The program is one of the most watched in Montenegro, and in previous seasons the leadership of the Police Directorate acted in an entirely professional manner, adhering to the principle of the public’s right to know. Director of the Police Directorate Lazar Šćepanović has since changed his mind and decided to close the doors of the institution he leads to „Sjenke“.

Interesting. Because, just before the New Year, something the author of the program confirmed to the ETV Portal, he had given his word that cooperation with the team of „Sjenke“ would continue and that he would grant permission for inspectors who worked on investigations of mafia-related crimes to speak on the program.

An unexpected email arrived after the holidays. The editorial team  of „Sjenke“ was informed that the Police Directorate would provide interviewees and support only „in relation to cases that have been finally adjudicated and in which, during criminal proceedings, the public was not excluded“.

A thoroughly incoherent explanation.

Šćepanović knows very well that none of the police officers who appeared on „Sjenke“ ever crossed the line of permissible disclosure of facts in the cases they worked on, and that they always adhered strictly to the operative parts of indictments or to the content of official statements and press conferences of the Police Directorate.

Therefore, it is clear that there has been no violation of any procedural law related to criminal proceedings.

Why Šćepanović - or „the Tiger“, as friends and associates flatteringly call him while feeding his ego - decided to demonstrate force can easily be guessed.

He broke his word. And the reason is clear – „Sjenke“ is inconvenient, and the goal is to obstruct the program.

Finally holding a full mandate, comfortably seated in the long-desired director’s chair, the „Tiger“ dreams of himself as a hero. As a „tiger“ who has taken on Montenegro’s mafia clans. That is why „Sjenke“ is a problem. It is a reminder of the bloody criminal clan clashes across Montenegro that also claim innocent lives. „Sjenke“ investigates, asks questions, analyzes. And for the „Tiger“ - that is not good.

That is why he has denied the public its right to know, even though this right is guaranteed by the Constitution, international agreements, and laws, and represents one of the fundamental human rights.

But the „Tiger“ has not fulfilled his promises. He has not stopped the war between two criminal clans, has not destroyed them, has not prevented innocent victims in their clashes… And so he would like to put an end to „Sjenke“.

Over the six seasons aired so far, the team of „Sjenke“ cooperated with the Police Directorate, courts, and prosecutors’ offices. From securing interviewees to providing access to materials. Everything functioned to the satisfaction of all parties, and viewership figures confirm - to the satisfaction of the audience as well.

Šćepanović, however, decided to block cooperation. Neither he nor the Democrats who appointed him to the position are comfortable with topics concerning mafia clan clashes and the response of the security services to them. Ongoing clashes shatter their fairy tale of an effective state response to organized crime.

In addition, „Sjenke“ airs on Television E, which is a „thorn in the side“ of the Democrats, as Television E daily points out unacceptable failures within the security sector and casts a shadow over their fairy-tale narratives.

As a result, one of the most watched programs in Montenegro, one that investigates the motives and circumstances of criminal clan clashes, reveals details the security sector remains silent about, warns of serious institutional failures, and highlights a reality far removed from any fairy tale, has been blocked by the Democrats and their top police official.

Despite this, the program „Sjenke“ will be produced this season as well. The first episode airs tonight at 11 p.m. on TVE.