Montenegro Parliament passes Criminal Code and internal affairs amendments

The Parliament of Montenegro has passed several key legislative updates, including amendments to the Criminal Code and the Law on Internal Affairs. These changes are part of the country's efforts to align with European Union accession requirements and recommendations from GRECO.

The updated Criminal Code introduces new offenses such as illegal enrichment related to public functions, where penalties depend on the value of assets disproportionate to lawful income. It also introduces femicide as a specific criminal offense, classifies gender-motivated murder as a severe form of homicide, and establishes hate speech as a crime. Additionally, the law expands prosecution for cybercrime, increases penalties for illegal weapons possession, and ensures that sexual offenses against children are no longer subject to statutes of limitations.

Amendments to the Law on Internal Affairs introduce integrity testing for Ministry of Internal Affairs employees through unannounced simulated situations. The law also grants operational independence to the unit responsible for monitoring work within the ministry. Other passed legislation includes updates to laws regarding judicial cooperation with EU member states, technical requirements for products, civil servants, and the execution of prison sentences.