Ivanović: I am surprised by the SSPO’s statement that the abolition of detention is illegal, higher authorities should decide on that

The Special State Prosecutor's Office, i.e. the acting prosecutors, conducted the questioning of the proposed witnesses in the case of the defendants within their available timeframes, thereby enabling the investigative judges of the High Court to pass a decision releasing these individuals, which is legitimate and lawful, said defense lawyer Nikola Ivanović commenting on today's decision of the High Court in Podgorica to terminate the custody of businessmen Ranko Ubović and Vladan Ivanović.

- I believe, first of all, that there were no grounds at all for ordering detention of these individuals, nor nor that only their detention is being considered or taken into account. I believe that there is no reasonable suspicion that they committed any criminal offense, especially not this one, but there will be an opportunity to discuss this in the courtroom when the time comes, should it come to that - attorney Ivanović said.

Commenting on the statement of the Special State Prosecutor’s Office that the termination of custody for Ubović and Ivanović was unlawful, the lawyer said he was surprised because this is a legal practice and an unwritten rule in similar cases. 

He did not want to comment further on the SSPO's statement that the decision is entirely well-founded and lawful, and that it will be subject to verification if the SPPO files an appeal against it.

- It remains to be seen what opinion some higher authorities will have regarding this. The law provides for such a possibility. This statement surprises me, but we remain open, and some higher authorities will give an answer to it - Ivanović said.