Podgorica, (MINA) – The fugitive former special prosecutor Lidija Mitrovic said that she made the decision not to serve the seven-month prison sentence, because, as she said, she was unfairly accused and convicted in a staged malicious proceeding.

Mitrovic’s open letter, dated January 31, was submitted to the media by her daughter Masa, who said that her mother left the letter before leaving the family home.

Mitrovic said that, considering the circumstances, regarding her professional career, she made a decision that would have a negative impact on public opinion, and especially on her family, but added that she has never done anything illegal in her 25-year long career, serving as both a judge and a special state prosecutor.

“To humiliate myself and to go to prison, unfairly and dishonorably accused and convicted, in a staged malicious proceeding, is unacceptable to me. I emphasize: I am neither afraid of prison, nor is this about avoiding losing comfort for a few months”, Mitrovic said.

She recalls that she was sentenced to seven months in prison by the Podgorica High Court verdict, delivered by judge Vujanovic, and that, following her appeal, the Appellate Court overturned the verdict for the first time, after which judge Vujanovic delivered, as she said, “the verdict identical to first-instance one”.

“I want to inform the public that my persecution and suffering that I have been going through for several years together with my family was organized and carried out exclusively by one person: Chief Special Prosecutor Vladimir Novovic”, Mitrovic stated.

She accused Novovic that the attacks on her began at the end of 2022, in connection with the case of former Defense Minister Olivera Injac.

Mitrovic added that Novovic and Judge Vijanovic are on close terms, “and Novovic personally advocated that the appointment of Vujanovic’s wife as a judge of the Administrative Court in Podgorica”, as well as that Novovic promised to help Vujanovic to be elected as a Constitutional Court judge.

Mitrovic said that Novovic must be acknowledged as very capable.

“He managed to bring his own man to the position of Supreme State Prosecutor. He has completely “covered” and controls the High Court and the Appellate Court. In a short period, he managed to wove a network of his people and controls all the state prosecution offices”, said Mitrovic.