Other threats to journalists, Magdalena Čelanović, Podgorica, 26.04.2025.

TUMM •︎ 28/04/2025

Other threats to journalists, Magdalena Čelanović, Podgorica, 26.04.2025.

Translations: Podgorica 

  • Case info

  • Personal info

  • Regional center
    Podgorica
  • Who was attacked?
    Journalist
  • Gender
    Female
  • Victim(s) name
    Magdalena Čelanović

  • Media outlet

  • Name of the media outlet
    Gradska RTV
  • Type of media platform
    Radio
  • Source of information about the incident
    https://www.vijesti.me/vijesti/crna-hronika/756069/voditeljka-gradske-tv-prijavila-doktora-zbog-prijetnji-i-uvreda; https://libertaspress.me/single-news/3527 ; https://mina.news/vijesti-iz-crne-gore/perunicic-novcano-kaznjen-zbog-prijetnji-uvreda-i-uznemiravanja-novinarke/

  • Incident Data

  • Date of incident
    26.04.2025
  • City
    Podgorica
  • Perpetrator(s)
    Known (convicted)
  • Attacked by
    (ordinary) citizens
  • Means of incidents and attacks
    E-mail
    Posts or comments on social networks
  • Type of incident
    Other threats to journalists
  • Type of threat
    Aggressive, harassing or discriminatory statements

  • Action by the authorities

  • Police action
    The police questioned and arrested Peruničić.
  • Public prosecutor's action
    During her closing arguments, Podgorica Prosecutor Romina Vlahović proposed that Peruničić be sentenced to the maximum term of imprisonment for the offenses committed.
  • Court action
    The Misdemeanor Court in Podgorica fined him the maximum amount of €1,000 and imposed a security measure requiring mandatory outpatient treatment for alcoholism.
  • Legal status of the case
    Perpetrator is convicted
  • Type of violation
    Persecution

  • Action taken by the journalists' association

  • Was journalist's association informed by the journalists directly?
    Unknown

On April 26, Magdalena Čelanović, a host at Gradska Television, reported Dr. Vladimir Peruničić of the Clinical Center of Montenegro to the police, accusing him of sending her insulting, threatening, and sexist messages via email and social media over several days. Fearing for her safety, she decided to take legal action.

Peruničić was questioned by police the same day and subsequently arrested. Authorities filed a request to initiate misdemeanor proceedings against him for alleged violations under Article 7 of the Law on Public Order and Peace – specifically for insulting and disorderly conduct.

In court, Peruničić admitted responsibility for the offenses he was charged with, explaining that he had been under the influence of alcohol at the time.

The Misdemeanor Court in Podgorica fined him the maximum amount of €1,000 and imposed a security measure requiring mandatory outpatient treatment for alcoholism.