Svetozar Marović, the former president of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro, is now a free man following the expiration of his prison sentence for corruption. Marović was sentenced in 2016 by the Higher Court in Podgorica to three years and nine months in prison for leading a criminal organization that inflicted multimillion-dollar damages on the Montenegrin coastal municipality of Budva. Despite signing two plea agreements in 2017 acknowledging his role in the criminal activities, Marović never served his sentence, having fled to Serbia in 2018.
Since his relocation to Serbia, Marović has lived in relative obscurity, with few public appearances until he was photographed in Belgrade’s Vračar district several years ago. Montenegro has repeatedly requested his extradition, issuing an Interpol red notice to ensure he serves his sentence. However, Serbian authorities have consistently ignored these requests, despite Montenegro’s Ministry of Justice making multiple appeals.
The expiration of Marović’s sentence raises significant questions about Serbia’s handling of extradition requests from Montenegro. Zdravko Begović, one of Marović’s lawyers, confirmed to Radio-Television Montenegro that the statute of limitations on Marović’s sentence has expired, allowing him to move freely without restrictions. Begović noted that all existing warrants against Marović would need to be withdrawn, effectively granting him full freedom.
The case has been a point of contention between Serbia and Montenegro, highlighting ongoing tensions in legal cooperation between the two countries. Montenegro’s Justice Minister, Bojan Božović, expressed frustration over Serbia’s lack of response to extradition requests, stating that from 2019 onwards, Montenegro has reached out to Serbian authorities eight times without receiving any reply. In 2018, then-Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić commented on the situation, suggesting that Serbia had good cooperation with Montenegro and that judicial authorities would act according to Serbian law, but no extradition has occurred.
The situation is further complicated by claims regarding Marović’s citizenship status. Božo Prelević, a lawyer, previously told the newspaper Danas that Marović had obtained Serbian citizenship, which would complicate extradition efforts. However, Serbia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs refuted this claim in May 2019, stating that Marović neither received nor applied for Serbian citizenship.
Marović’s release and the preceding legal saga underscore the complex political and legal dynamics between Serbia and Montenegro. His past as a prominent political figure who played a significant role in Montenegro’s push for independence in 2006 adds layers to the case. Marović was a co-founder of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), which dominated Montenegrin politics until 2020, and he held the position of the last president of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro from 2003 to 2006.
The lack of response from Montenegrin authorities regarding the implications of Marović’s release leaves questions about the future of Serbia-Montenegro relations. Additionally, there is no clear indication of public sentiment in Serbia concerning Marović’s freedom or the handling of extradition requests. The case continues to highlight the challenges of legal cooperation in the Balkans, especially concerning high-profile political figures with complex legal and political histories.
