Foundation Dusko Jovanovic handed out the international awards for investigative journalism to Stephan Hofstatter from Africa, Stevan Dojcinovic from Serbia and Ahmed El Shamy from Egypt

Regarding the murder of Dusko Jovanovic, international institutions will be presented with all the evidence collected in the last 11 years. While giving evidence, there will not be lack of material for the extras, represented by the heads of the police, prosecution and judiciary, who did everything to protect those who were shooting to kill, said Slavica Jovanovic, the wife of the murdered editor-in-chief of the newspaper Dan. On the 11th anniversary of the murdered editor-in-chief, the Foundation Dusko Jovanovic presented the international awards for investigative journalism to Stephan Hofstatter from Africa for the article "Shoot to kill", to Stevan Dojcinovic from Serbia for the article "How the Balkan drug cartel conquered Europe" and Ahmed El Shamy from Egypt for the article "Behind the closed doors of silence"
- While reading the entries, I confirmed what I already knew- everywhere in the world human is human, brute is brute, and injustice has got the same ugly face. But there are and will always be people who will not close their eyes before injustice- said Mrs Jovanovic.
The winning work entitled "Shoot to kill" was awarded with the Charter and the check of 10,000 euros. It speaks about the police unit Cato Manor (death squads) that kills at its discretion and on the orders of clients, without judicial proceedings.
- The "usual method" of the unit was from the ambush. When the "suspect" appears on the spot- shoot to kill. It wasn't easy for me to read the winning work, because I went back on 27th May 2004. Quote: "This week the Sunday Times interviewed the wife of murdered Bongani Biyela. In December we published a photograph that showed her weeping while the policeman sat next to her drinking beer and celebrating after her husband's murder." End of quote. Even if you wanted, you cannot stop memories. It's true, when Dusko was killed, killers were not drinking beers. They opened a bottle of champagne - said Jovanovic.
By quoting Krleza "When you want to find out who we are, let the lights go out. Then we will see what we are capable of doing" Mrs Jovanovic pointed out that she learnt what the authorities are capable of doing not to bring the ones who ordered the murder before justice.
- Judicial proceedings have lasted for 11 years, which is impermissibly very long period. During that time, my lawyers and I have been collecting evidence to present it before international institutions which will deal with the crime essentially not formally. We have the support and help of the Commission for the investigation of the attacks on journalists. While giving evidence, there will not be lack of material for the extras represented by the heads of the police, prosecution and judiciary who did everything to protect those who were shooting to kill. Although they are not called Cato manor unit, they are a special unit indeed- Mrs Jovanovic said during the Award Ceremony. She added that the bullet of hate which was fired into Dusko did its part.
- That "bullet" of evil and malice has passed through my soul. Fired it travels through time. "Bullet" of hate and evil always comes back to the one who fired it. If I could, I would stop that traveling "bullet". I can't. God strikes the balance. He has the last word. – Jovanovic said.
In 2011 when the first international awards Dusko Jovanovic for investigative journalism were presented, she said that the 27th work was the last one.
- It was confirmed what I have known for all these 11 years – there are no coincidences. It's like when you rotate the wheel and draw what you least expect. We didn't expect the event of 27th May 2004 but we should have. When receiving the works for the Second International Award, even before I received the work under the number 27, I sensed that it would carry the symbolism of 27th May 2004 and that it would be one of the winning works. Of course, I have left these thoughts aside until the Jury did not vote and decided. The 27th work is entitled "How the Balkan drug cartel conquered Europe". Stevan Dojcinovic won the second place. The message is very clear – Jovanovic concluded.
The work "Behind the closed doors of silence" which won the third place speaks about violence against women, mostly underage girls and reveals rape and sexual harassments within the family.
- Victim's fear of reactions from family, society and the rapist who abuses social denial of any story about that, is forcing the victim to be silent. The author asked "What would the society be like if future mothers continue to be victims of such crimes" – Mrs Jovanovic pointed to the issue covered by the journalist who won the third place.
She said that a lot of high-quality works arrived for the Contest and deserved the award but the Foundation awards only three works. She added that all the submitted works will be published in the daily Dan.
- In the end, I want to send a message to all well-meaning people – let your hands smell of ink, earth, hair of your loved ones and the skin of a new-born not of blood and not of gunpowder – she concluded.
The Foundation Dusko Jovanovic gave the first international award for investigative journalism to Andrew Higgins, The Washington Post journalist. After that the recognitions for contribution and development of investigative journalism in Montenegro were presented. The winners were Marko Vesovic (Dan), Sead Sadikovic (Vijesti) and Investigative Center MANS.
This year's Contest consisted of 47 works but 40 of them met the prescribed conditions. The works from across the world were judged by a jury consisting of: Veran Matic, editor-in-chief of TV B92 and president of the Commission for investigating killings of journalists, Mladen Milutinovic acting editor-in-chief of the daily Dan, executive director of Jumedia Mont and representative of the Foundation, Nikola Markovic, deputy editor-in-chief of the daily Dan and president of the Commission for the investigation of the attacks on journalists and media property, Berislav Jelinic editor-in-chief of Croatian Nacional and Zeljko Kopanja, journalist and winner of numerous awards.
The president of Serbian Commission for investigating killings of journalists and president of the jury, Veran Matic said at the award ceremony that the anniversary of Jovanovic's murder reminds us of brutal conflicts with journalists, editors and media owners. He said it is very important that the Commission for monitoring the investigations of attacks on journalists was also founded in Montenegro. He explained that due to the fact that the authorities haven't resolved the murders of media workers for several decades, his idea was that journalists must enter the mechanism of disclosing murders and help in their solving.
- The reform and democratization of society and the establishment of civilized society are absolutely impossible without solving murders like these, especially journalists, public figures. If we push the crimes under the rug, they will certainly sooner or later complicate everything we live of – Matic warned saying there is a double negative trend of journalists' murders and increased unresolved murders in the last couple of years.
- Due to the danger the investigation carries, there are less and less investigative journalists. It is very difficult to sacrifice your own life. My colleague Brankica Stankovic has been living under police protection 24/7 for more than six years. I have been living under police protection for more than five years with no personal life, with constant threats and uncertainty when this situation will end – he said.
Deputy editor-in-chief of the daily Dan and president of the Commission for monitoring the investigations of attacks on journalists, Nikola Markovic, thanked the audience for not forgetting Jovanovic's sacrifice.
- The fact it's been 11 years and that the ones who ordered and committed this crime have not yet been found mostly speaks about the lack of political will and professional responsibility to solve attacks on our colleagues, primarily the murder of Dusko Jovanovic. During these 11 years, every day has been a proof of how difficult being a journalist in Montenegro is – he said.
Kopanja and Jelinic are, as Markovic added, the best examples of consequences that journalism has left on them. Kopanja has been disabled as a result of injuries he suffered in the attack. Jelinic couldn't come to the award ceremony because Croatian Security Service estimated it was not safe for him to come to Montenegro.
- He has already received threats from so-called tobacco mafia which has connections in Montenegro. They threatened to take away his life – he said.
Although the editor-in-chief of Nacional and one of the jury members for the Dusko Jovanovic award, Berislav Jelinic, couldn't come to Montenegro due to security reasons, he left a video message and greeted journalists, colleagues and Jovanovic's family.
- The organizers of the competition honored me by asking to participate in the jury work for this prestigious award. Participating as a jury member brings out sad but also memories that I'm proud of. They take me 15 years back in time when together with the late Ivo Pukanic in Nacional I started to publish a serial of exclusive discoveries on Balkan tobacco mafia whose leaders were today's prominent members of Montenegrin political and economic life. Dusko Jovanovic used and published in Dan most of the articles from Nacional. We were in direct communication and I remember how I listened in disbelief when he talked about the fears for his safety. It could be that he lost his life due to these published articles from Nacional. A few years later Ivo Pukanic was also killed and according to a lot of serious indications there is a suspicion that he was murdered by Montenegrin tobacco mafia – Jelinic said. He added that for a period of time exponents from that group took over Nacional which had 30 people leaving as a result of that. The newspaper went into bankruptcy.
Jelinic reminded that he bought Nacional year and a half ago and started printing.
- Croatian institutions assessed that Montenegrin tobacco mafia had wanted to kill me and I had been under police protection for 4 years and 11 months. Some of the aspects of that protection are still active as well as the recommendation to stay away from Montenegro. That is the reason why I have not dared to attend the award ceremony – Jelinic said adding that submitted works for the Contest of the Foundation Dusko Jovanovic were very good and believes that the awards went into right hands.

The winner of the third prize which consists of the Charter and 4,000 euros, Ahmed El Shamy, thanked the jury members for choosing him and in particular he thanked Slavica Jovanovic.
- It is a great honor to have been chosen for the article "Behind the closed doors of silence" because I think it is the most important work I've done up until now. I would like to dedicate this award to the victims of incest, rape, domestic abuse – and in honor of their courage to break the wall of silence – he said after receiving the award.
In his message to all the investigative journalists, El Shamy said that we have to continue the fight against corruption and injustice.

Mladen Milutinovic presented the award consisting of the Charter and 6,000 euros to Stevan Dojcinovic and said that by cherishing the memory of Dusko Jovanovic through the work in the newspaper and the Foundation, he would like to strongly support journalists to be more engaged in the investigative journalism.
- The great article written by Stevan Dojcinovic can serve as inexhaustible inspiration – Milutinovic noted.

 Mladen Milutinovic and Stevan Dojčinovic

Dojcinovic said that when the affair Balkan Warrior began, he was investigating the aspects of this story alongside with the police, traveled to various continents and countries trying to complete the mosaic of the Balkan drug cartel. He expected that the return of Darko Saric in the country will close the circle but the trial and the following events showed it was not going to be the case.
He pointed out that all the criminals were acquitted from the crimes they committed by strange court decisions. Saric remains the only famous criminal in the Serbian custody.
- All those people are out there and the authorities don't have any comment on that. They are saying that these are decisions of the courts and they can't comment them. On the other hand, judges see themselves as professionals who made their decisions and public mustn't question them – Dojcinovic said.
He announced that he would carry on with this issue.
The story that was worth the first prize dealt with actions of detective units and resulted in the arrest of 30 police officers including Major-General who was under indictment for murder and extortion.
The winner of the first prize, Stephan Hofstatter said that it was a great honor to receive the award, especially on behalf of his colleagues. He stressed his appreciation for the Foundation which represents an inspiration for them and other journalists in their country to publish the truth. He thanked the Foundation for the support to investigative journalism when it is needed the most.
Mzilikazi wa Africa and Rob Rose with whom he shared the prize addressed the audience via video message because they were not able to attend the award ceremony due to objective reasons.

ANA TOPALOVIC
MILAN SEKULOVIC

Truth Must Be Revealed

Aleksa Becic, the leader of Democrats of Montenegro, thinks that the fact there isn't any improvement in solving Dusko Jovanovic's murder proves the lack of will to actually solve that crime.
- Instead of sending the image of a country with enormous resources, attractive to everyone, we are sending the picture of a state where journalists are murdered and property of the media destroyed. I don't know what the bigger shame for Montenegro will be – waiting so long to discover the killers of Dusko Jovanovic and the ones who order it or when we discover the truth which must come out. The truth is inevitable but it requires brave people at the head of the institutions, people who are ready to work for their citizens. – Becic said.

Darkest Stain

Milan Knezevic, president of Democratic People's party, said that the presence of numerous guests at the Award Ceremony proves that the democratic thought is alive and ready to fight alongside Dan to the final discovery of who killed Dusko Jovanovic.
- That murder represents the darkest stain on the democratic aspiration of Montenegro to become an arranged democratic society- Knezevic said.

State Owes the Truth

President of the Civic Movement URA, Zarko Rakcevic said that Montenegro owes to itself the truth about the murder of Dusko Jovanovic.
- 11 years of silence is a long, too long time. Eleven years of mocking the truth. Democratic state of Montenegro owes the truth to the family of Dusko Jovanovic. It owes the truth to itself and I really hope that the democratic Montenegro will be able to solve this shameful crime and that perpetrators and masterminds of this crime against Dusko Jovanovic will be discovered - Rakcevic said.

Authorities Know Everything But are Silent

MP Dritan Abazovic said that by murdering Dusko Jovanovic, judiciary, prosecution and police have also been murdered.
- As the days and years go by, it seems that the authorities know everything but don't want to do anything about it. This gives an even more tragic note to the whole situation and I think it proves their involvement in this case. I don't want to label or accuse anyone, but for 11 years the institutions have not been able to solve the murder. And people are talking about that during the whole year. It speaks about the system in which we live. It is the deteriorated situation with clear indication that the political elite, which was in power when Dusko Jovanovic was murdered, doesn't want to solve it and it has to wait for more courageous and righteous people – Abazovic said.

Milosevic Believes in the Commission

Political director of DPS, Tarzan Milosevic, said that he believes in the institutions of the system.
- I believe it is the obligation of Montenegro and all the relevant authorities to find the people who ordered and murdered Dusko Jovanovic. I also believe that the Commission for solving the attacks on journalists and media property will help the institutions in solving this heinous crime- Milosevic said.

Threat Over the Head of Every Journalist

Deputy Executive Director of MANS, Dejan Milovac states that waiting 11 years to find out who ordered and murdered Dusko Jovanovic speaks of two things:
- The first one is the political capacity of the current government together with the police, judiciary and prosecution to solve one of the most serious murders. On the other hand, it shows the place where today's Montenegrin journalists, especially investigators of corruption and organized crime work. Not prosecuting the Jovanovic's murder poses the threat hanging over the head of every honest and responsible journalist. It is a burden which every journalist must count on – Milovac stated.

Masterminds and Perpetrators Among Those in Power

MP from Democratic Party, Koca Pavlovic says that the perpetrators and masterminds behind Dusko Jovanovic's murder will be known when the government changes.
- They are within the current government even though the prime minister Milo Djukanovic tries to sell the story of how the masterminds are somewhere else, even on the other side and that the Government liked having Dan and Dusko Jovanovic. It is a story for those with short intelligence and short memory. We all remember what Dan meant for the regime back then. Dusko's murder is in fact the shooting. He was attacked several times before and after that. There were testimonies saying that it was done by the orders of the regime which attacked anti-regime journalists. Dusko paid the highest price – Pavlovic warned, saying that the masterminds and the perpetrators of the crime will be discovered when the government changes.

Regime Has No Right to Talk about Democracy

Journalist Budo Simonovic says that the current government cannot speak about the freedom and progress until they resolve the murder of Dusko Jovanovic.
- Firstly, the murder of the man must be solved and then the murder of the journalist. Killing a journalist in every possible system means hitting the most subtle wire of freedom in society. The one murdering the journalists is also murdering freedom and democracy. Dusko is a symbol and a flag of democracy and free journalism which was hit in the most brutal way. We can't talk about freedom, democracy and journalism until the murder is resolved – Simonovic thinks.

Stain on the Face of the State

According to Darko Ivanovic, member of the Commission for the investigation of the attacks on journalists, the murder of Dusko Jovanovic and unresolving that crime personify a stain on the face of the state.
- Until Dusko's murder, I thought the threats were the worst that can happen to journalists. Up to that point the journalists were threatened but I believed that it would not come to murder. Unfortunately, it happened. Not only was I confuted as a professional but I was morally confuted. I thought Montenegrins were different and that a system for which a majority of citizens vote would find strength, motive and professionalism to wash off the stain from Montenegro. This is a Montenegrin stain. It has been going on for 11 years. This is agonizing and a torture of both public opinion and all of us trying to work in journalism in an honest, normal and investigative manner – Dusko's way – said Ivanovic.

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