Katnić: They wanted to arrest all the Katnićs, so that not a single one would „be left“

Former Chief Special Prosecutor Milivoje Katnić stated today before the High Court that they „wanted to arrest all the Katnićs so that not a single one would 'be left'“.

He made this statement after the Basic State Prosecutor’s Office initiated a preliminary investigation over a pistol that was in his ownership, for which they tried to accuse his son, Radan Katnić. That report was ultimately dismissed as unfounded.

At the beginning of the hearing, SSPO officers who had participated in the searches in Barjamovica and Novo Selo - Simo Martinović and Dejan Filipović - were heard.

Martinović testified that in April 2024 he acted with his colleagues pursuant to an order and that they arrested Katnić in Novo Selo.

- He was served with a search warrant, he said that he wished to defend himself and that he did not need a lawyer. Ammunition was found in Novo Selo. He was informed that searches would also be conducted in Barjamovica and in an apartment in Dalmatinska Street. Katnić said that the apartment was used by his son and that he himself had not stayed there for a long time - Martinović said.

He explained that searches were conducted of several facilities in Barjamovica, but that he was not present at the search in Dalmatinska Street.

According to the witness, during the search in Barjamovica Katnić stated that the property belonged to the Katnić family and that everything found there was his.

Katnić emphasized that the conduct of the police officers was professional.

In response to a question from the defendant Katnić, the witness explained that the former chief special prosecutor had been cooperative at the time of his arrest and that there had been no obstruction of any kind.

Martinović also stated that in Novo Selo Katnić himself showed them the weapon and indicated that there was nothing illegal.

Martinović could not recall whether, during the search, a notebook and a folder containing documents and money were seized from Katnić.

The witness also said that a new initiative for a search warrant for the apartment in Dalmatinska Street had been launched, but that he could not remember who had contacted prosecutor Miloš Šoškić.

He initially claimed that he could not remember who had drafted the initiative for the new search in Dalmatinska Street, but after Katnić presented him with the request bearing his signature, Martinović said that he then remembered that he had personally written it and delivered it to his colleagues.

- That paper bears my signature. I stated that due to the passage of time I could not remember, but I have now recalled - the witness said, adding that it was an initiative to issue a search warrant submitted to the Special State Prosecutor’s Office.

He repeated that he had not personally contacted prosecutor Šoškić.

He also could not recall when he had drafted the initiative.

Katnić said that the witness had forgotten what they had discussed.

He noted that this witness had forgotten everything, just like prosecutor Mira Samardžić, who had testified recently.

Witness Dejan Filipović said that he had only been present at the search in Barjamovica, not in Novo Selo.

In one of the facilities, he said, ammunition was found, while nothing was found in the other facilities.

In response to Katnić’s question, he also said that at no point had Katnić obstructed them.

Prosecutor Miloš Šoškić had no questions for the witnesses.