# Montenegro war crimes and hate speech legal proceedings

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/montenegro-war-crimes-and-hate-speech-legal-proceedings
> Updated: 2026-09-05T08:39:47.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2.

The Special State Prosecution (SDT) in Montenegro is managing several war crimes investigations. In the first half of 2026, the SDT reported that only one new war crimes case was opened, which was subsequently closed due to the dismissal of the criminal complaint. Currently, the SDT is managing 24 cases: 22 in the inquiry phase, one under investigation, and one with a confirmed indictment. Ongoing work includes the ‘Morinj’ and ‘Kaluđerski laz’ cases.

Regarding international cooperation, the SDT has engaged with authorities in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Croatia to exchange information and collect evidence. While the SDT responded to six requests for assistance from regional authorities, a request sent to the War Crimes Prosecutor's Office in Serbia remained unanswered during the reporting period.

In addition to war crimes, authorities reported 35 cases involving hate speech or crimes committed out of hatred during the first half of 2026. In response, the Minister of Justice has proposed amendments to the Criminal Code to introduce ‘severe hate speech’ as a specific criminal offense. Concurrently, human rights advocates have expressed concern that recent legislative changes to the SDT Law may concentrate power within the prosecution and increase risks of political pressure.

## Claims

- The Special State Prosecution (SDT) is currently handling 24 war crimes cases. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Of the 24 war crimes cases, 22 are in the inquiry phase, one is under investigation, and one has a confirmed indictment. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Montenegrin institutions received six requests regarding war crimes cases, including four from Serbia, one from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and one from Kosovo. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-05: Montenegro prosecution manages 24 war crimes cases and addresses hate speech

Montenegro's Special State Prosecution is handling 24 war crimes cases, while authorities report 35 new hate speech cases in early 2026. New laws to criminalize 'severe hate speech' are being proposed.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/montenegro-prosecution-manages-24-war-crimes-cases-and-addresses-hate-speech

### 2026-08-22: Special State Prosecutor reports on war crimes investigations

The Special State Prosecutor's report for early 2026 shows one new war crimes case was dismissed, while 22 cases remain in inquiry and work continues on the Morinj and Kaluđerski laz investigations.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/special-state-prosecutor-reports-on-war-crimes-investigations

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Cite as: Montenegro war crimes and hate speech legal proceedings. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/montenegro-war-crimes-and-hate-speech-legal-proceedings