The coalition For the Future of Montenegro (ZBCG) has submitted a proposal for a new Amnesty Law to the Montenegrin Parliament. The proposed law aims to reduce prison sentences for certain categories of convicted individuals.
According to the proposal, individuals who are already serving a prison sentence would receive a 15% reduction of their sentence. Those who have been sentenced but have not yet begun serving their time would receive a 10% reduction. Repeat offenders, meaning those who have been convicted multiple times, would be eligible for a 5% reduction.
The law also includes specific provisions for individuals with lighter sentences. First-time offenders sentenced to up to three months in prison, who have not yet started serving their sentence, would receive a suspended sentence. This means they would avoid prison if they do not commit another crime within two years. First-time offenders sentenced to between three and six months could serve their sentence under house arrest. If they have already begun serving their sentence, the remainder could be replaced with a suspended sentence.
However, the law outlines several exceptions. It would not apply to individuals convicted of war crimes, terrorism, human trafficking, or other serious crimes against humanity. It also excludes those convicted of sexual offences such as rape, child sexual abuse, and child pornography. Members of criminal organisations and individuals convicted of crimes such as money laundering, corruption, abuse of office, and bribery would also be ineligible. The same applies to those convicted of domestic violence, incest, or child abuse, as well as individuals who have already benefited from a previous amnesty. The law would also not apply to those sentenced to the maximum 40-year prison term, or to individuals who are wanted by authorities for evading prison.
Eligibility for amnesty would be determined by the courts, either automatically or following a request from the convicted person, the prosecutor, or another authorised individual. Any decision can be appealed within three days, and the appeal will delay the enforcement of the decision.
The law would require the prison administration to compile a list of potentially eligible prisoners within 24 hours of the law coming into effect. If the prisoner is serving their sentence abroad, the Ministry of Justice would be responsible for handling the notification process.
The proposed law is set to come into force eight days after its publication in the Official Gazette of Montenegro.
