Montenegro pardons: 516 approvals since 2006 highlight lack of clear criteria

Montenegrin presidents have approved 516 of 2,610 pardon applications submitted between 2006 and 2026, according to a study by the Center for Civic Education (CGO). Former president Filip Vujanović granted 483 of 2,146 requests, while Milo Đukanović approved 21 of 299 and current president Jakov Milatović 12 of 165. The year 2012 saw a peak with 142 approvals.

The CGO report says the pardon process is not sufficiently regulated: there are no clearly defined criteria, no legal duty for the president to explain decisions, and limited information on whether pardons follow Justice Ministry recommendations. Pardons have been applied not only to minor offenses but also to serious crimes such as violence, abuse of office, drug‑related offenses and traffic safety violations. The organization argues that without transparency, citizens cannot assess whether humanitarian, health, family or rehabilitation reasons were considered.