Contributed by: Irena Milatovic and Vanja Mikulic, Montenegro National VAW Monitors

On August 18, 2006, Mrs. V.R. (51) from Podgorica has passed away in the hospital in due to injuries caused from a beating from her husband.

The late V.R. was admitted to the hospital on August 15, at the department for intensive care in the Main Hospital in Podgorica, but after three days of intensive care, she passed away. During that time, her husband was released, and charged according to the criminal act of “domestic violence”. Upon the police receiving information that his wife passed away, he was arrested again and the case was directed from the Basic to the Higher Court in Podgorica. The police charged Mr. N.R. with “severe murder”.

Unofficial information published in the daily newspaper states that he did not use any objects when he beat his wife. Also, the late V.R. had old injuries on her head, so the new ones just aggravated her condition, after which she fainted and lapsed into a coma. No matter on doctors’ efforts and operations, the injuries of the brain and liver were fatal for Mrs. V.R.

Activists of the women’s NGO – Montenegrin Women’s Lobby reacted to this cruel murder and reminded the public of other similar cases of domestic violence with the same epilogue. They stressed that society does not sanction violators on time, which just induces violence. Therefore, this NGO states that every public institution, which does not react to “family hell” promptly, is also a collaborator in the crime.

Published in: Husband Has Beaten His Wife, Pobjeda newspaper, 20 August 2006