WORLD NEWS FOR MONTENEGRO DIASPORA
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SOURCE: POBJEDA- AUTHOR: M.J. GDNUS
Why did three underage German citizens and two boys under the age of 14, as "children with behavioral problems", stay in Cetinje and from whom did they need protection and become beneficiaries of the NU Center for the Protection of Children and Youth, are some of the questions that are now being addressed by the Ministry of Social Welfare, the police and the prosecutor's office.
Vijesti published information yesterday that, after an incident with employees of a private shelter for children with behavioral problems in Cetinje, two underage German citizens were transferred to the state institution "Ljubović", and criminal charges for violent behavior were filed against the three with the local prosecutor's office.
None of the dozens of citizens of the capital, with whom Pobjeda spoke yesterday, knew about the existence of the Center for the Protection of Children and Youth (with behavioral problems), not even in the "Njegoš" Elementary School, although the Center is right next to the school gate.
The founding act lists Nikola Perović as the founder and director of the Center for the Protection of Children and Youth, and he is also a representative of the NGO. The owners of this Center are Nikoleta Perović and Milica Krivokapić, who is also a psychologist at the Center for Social Work, which is only fifty meters away from the institution where the incident occurred.
As officially confirmed to us on Thursday by the Cetinje State Prosecutor's Office, three girls were first taken to the police detention facilities, and then taken to "Ljubović".
On the order of the Cetinje Basic State Prosecutor's Office, three minor female persons, German citizens, were taken to the detention facilities of the Cetinje Primary School on Tuesday evening. The girls were involved in an incident that occurred earlier that day in the premises of the NU Center for Protection. The girls, along with two other boys under the age of 14, physically attacked the caretaker at the Center.
According to the decision of the Basic Court, the girls were placed in the Public Institution "Ljubović", while the two boys, as announced by the Cetinje ODT, were not included in the prosecutor's order because they are under the age of 14.
As Pobjeda was informed by the Cetinje ODT, in order to protect the interests of the proceedings, it is not allowed to provide details about further prosecution proceedings.
The center right next to the elementary school
The NU Center for the Protection of Children and Youth with Behavioral Problems is an organization that was founded in early April in Cetinje, and its premises are located next to the gate of the "Njegoš" Elementary School, where, at least according to the advertisement, the "Aleksandra" apartment accommodation is also located.
- No one at the school even knew that such an organization was next to the school. Today, when a police officer came to the school premises and said - we are going to evict your neighbors, we found out about it - one of the school employees told us.
In truth, the children at the school did not have any conflicts with the users of the Center, the director of this school, Adrijana Aleksić, confirmed to Pobjeda.
The Social Work Center in Cetinje told us that they were aware of the existence of this NGO, and that "the organization has an adequate license", and that they had not previously had any problems with children - the beneficiaries of the Center.
- The Social Work Center for the Capital City of Cetinje, as a guardianship authority, had no knowledge of any problems regarding the beneficiaries of the services of the aforementioned NGO, until the recent events to which your inquiries refer. All reports and information within the jurisdiction of the Center were considered in accordance with the law, respecting the principle of protecting the best interests of children, and in cooperation and coordination with other competent institutions dealing with child protection - it is stated in the answers sent to Pobjeda by the director of the Social Work Center in Cetinje, Dejan Milošević.
So far, no problems
He also said that the Social Work Center for the Capital City of Cetinje acts in accordance with the Law on Social and Child Protection. No irregularities were found in the work of the Center where the incident occurred, which was also confirmed by the competent inspection, carried out on May 14, 2025.
As emphasized, the CZSR cannot provide details related to specific minors due to the legal obligation to protect the identity and privacy of children.
- The competent authorities have been informed of all circumstances and possible incidents. The placement of minors is carried out exclusively by order of the competent institutions, in accordance with applicable laws. Minors, who are younger than 14 years old, if included, are under special protection and are still under the jurisdiction of the social and child protection system - said Milošević, adding that the Institution he heads cannot provide information about the citizenship of minor beneficiaries, in order to protect the identity and rights of children, in accordance with the Law on the Protection of Personal Data and international standards on the rights of the child.
Although the story about the incident and the detention of minors has been confirmed by several sources, including the Basic Prosecutor's Office, about further steps and actions of the Center for Social Work in Cetinje, Milošević only vaguely said that, "as before, they are taking all necessary measures within their jurisdiction, in order to protect children and respect the law.
- All activities are carried out in cooperation with relevant institutions and authorities, with continuous monitoring and assessment of the situation. Our priority remains the protection of the best interests of children - said Milošević.
Psychologist (not) working at the Center
Milošević also denied that Milica Krivokapić, a psychologist at the CZSR Cetinje, is in any way involved in the work of the Center for the Protection of Children and Youth, although he confirmed this information to a Pobjeda journalist in an informal conversation.
- We pay special attention to the prevention of conflicts of interest and conflicts of roles. No psychologist employed at our Center is engaged in the aforementioned NGO, as a permanent or occasional employee, under a work or service contract, nor was he involved in work with the beneficiaries of that organization. This fact was confirmed by internal checks and an insight into official records - said Milošević.
As he emphasized, the Center for Social Work in Cetinje employs professional workers who are dedicated to improving the system of social and child protection. In accordance with the law and professional standards, employees have the right to engage in additional activities through membership or establishment of non-governmental organizations engaged in various socially beneficial activities. All such activities are in line with the principles of social justice and contribution to the general well-being of our society.
The Ministry of Social Welfare and Demography told us which email addresses to send questions to, and that everyone was busy going to "an event in Berane".
Violent behavior, breaking inventory
As we unofficially learned from the Cetinje police, they intervened on Monday after a report by Damir Avdijaj, who works at the Center as a janitor, educator and translator, that he had been physically attacked by children - the Center's users.
According to unofficial information from the police, the girls also physically attacked the owner and founder of the NU Center for the Protection of Children and Youth, Nikola Perović. After that, they were taken to the police, while two boys began breaking inventory in the premises, so the police also detained them.
The Center for the Protection of Children and Youth, whose employees requested police intervention, did not respond to our calls yesterday.
