Podgorica, (MINA) - The Supreme Court of Montenegro has adopted two documents setting out the guidelines for the imposition of criminal sanctions in cases of serious and organized crime, as well as for the criminal offense of unauthorized production, possession and distribution of narcotics.

According to the court’s press release, the aim of the guidelines is to strengthen the role of the judiciary in the fight against the most serious forms of crime and to ensure a consistent and predictable penal policy, with full respect for judicial independence.

The President of the Supreme Court, Valentina Pavlicic, said that the penal policy in cases of serious and organized crime must be decisive, lawful and consistent, but at the same time legally based, individualized and proportionate to the gravity of each specific criminal offense.

Pavlicic pointed out that drug-related criminal offences pose a serious challenge for the justice system, as their consequences threaten public health, safety and citizens’ trust in the legal order.

The Supreme Court explained that the guidelines are conceived as an advisory and orientation framework designed to support judges in sentencing, with full respect for judicial independence.