Lazović: They filmed our wardrobes, barrels, wine and brandy - it was an inquisition and a show for the public
There was no illegal weapon, nor a single round of ammunition that I possessed unlawfully. The firearms and ammunition were stored in a metal safe, as required by law, and everything was surrendered voluntarily - former Assistant Director of the Police Administration Zoran Lazović told the High Court today after a ballistics expert testified before the panel presided over by Judge Veljko Radovanović.
In addition to Lazović, who is accused of allegedly using his official position to benefit the Kavač criminal clan, the indictment also includes retired Chief Special Prosecutor Milivoje Katnić and suspended Special Prosecutor Saša Čađenović. All three have categorically denied the allegations.
Alongside ballistics expert Milovan Mihailović, the court also heard testimony from financial experts Nemanja Dragojević and Dragan Nišavić.
Responding to a question from one of Lazović's defence attorneys, Nikola Martinović, expert witness Mihailović stated that 114 rounds of 7.62×39 mm ammunition can be legally purchased.
- The Czech-made Zbrojovka rifle was not submitted to me. I was provided only with the firearm licence, which I quoted in my report, mentioning Bijelo Polje and the locality of Potkrajci. This rifle is chambered for 7.62×39 mm ammunition. The owner of such a rifle, with the appropriate firearm licence, may legally purchase this ammunition - Mihailović said.
His testimony challenged the allegation in the indictment that the ammunition found at Lazović's family home in Bijelo Polje was illegally possessed.
Following the testimony of the financial experts, who had been tasked by the Special State Prosecutor's Office with assessing the value of the Lazović family's clothing, barrels, brandy and wine, the former police official described the prosecution's request as a demonstration of force.
- They filmed our wardrobes, our clothes, the cellar where we keep brandy, the barrels... It was a classic inquisition, a demonstration of power and a performance for the public. Since they could not find anything compromising, they tried to humiliate me - Lazović said.
He explained that he had started collecting alcoholic beverages together with his late father in 1998, adding that around 80 percent of the bottles found had been collected during family gatherings, weddings, birthdays and other celebrations.
- I inherited the family household from my father in 2012, and I am proud of that - Lazović said.
During today's hearing, Judge Radovanović also read into the record documentary evidence from the Police Directorate concerning apartments in the Perla residential building that are owned by the construction company Bemax.
Lazović's defence attorney, Stefan Jovanović, stated that neither the building's surveillance footage nor the reception log contained any record of his client being present.