Podgorica Prosecutor's Office criticized for delay in child sexual harassment case

The Ombudsman for Human Rights and Freedoms has determined that a mother's complaint regarding the alleged sexual harassment of her two children by her former husband was well-founded. The case involves children who were four and five years old at the time the criminal complaint was filed in Podgorica in October 2025.

Despite the Basic State Prosecutor's Office in Podgorica taking certain actions, including psychological assessments and ongoing expert examinations, no decision on the criminal complaint has been made after ten months. The Ombudsman stated that this delay violates the children's right to timely proceedings and decision-making.

While the prosecutor's office cited complex expert evaluations as the reason for the delay, the Ombudsman noted that the case did not appear sufficiently complex to justify exceeding the recommended legal timeframes. The Ombudsman emphasized that cases involving allegations of sexual harassment against children require urgent attention and must prioritize the best interests of the child.