Verdict for defendants accused of planning the assassinations of Lazović, Katnić and Čađenović to be delivered on July 6
Judge Zoran Radović of the High Court has scheduled July 6 for the delivery of the verdict in the case against a group accused of plotting the murders of former key figures in Montenegro’s prosecution service and police, including retired Chief Special Prosecutor Milivoje Katnić, suspended prosecutor Saša Čađenović, former high-ranking police official Zoran Lazović, and of planning an attack on Judge Biljana Uskoković.
According to the prosecution, the criminal organization was formed by Stefan Đukić and Emil Tuzović, who, according to police records, are considered to be associated with the Škaljari criminal clan.
In addition to planning the assassinations of Lazović, Katnić, and Čađenović, the group allegedly also planned to kill Lazović’s son Petar Lazović, a suspended officer of the National Security Agency, as well as police officer Ivan Đoković.
Alongside Stefan Đukić and Emil Tuzović, the indictment filed by the Special State Prosecutor’s Office includes Dušan Dudić, Milan Brajović, Nino Korać, Stefan Mićić, Aleksandar Raičević, Dušan Boljević, Albin R. Salić, Branko D. Pejanović, Haris Tuzović, Goran Milašinović and Bojan G. Lopičić.
A verdict had initially been scheduled for April 17, but Judge Radović decided to reopen the proceedings in order to supplement the evidence, including re-examining witness Maksut Beriša to resolve contradictions in his testimony.
At today's hearing, Special Prosecutor Miroslav Turković, the defense attorneys, and the defendants all stated that they stood by the closing arguments they had presented on March 17.
Prosecutor Turković maintained that the defendants’ guilt had been proven and requested that they be found guilty in accordance with the law. The defense, on the other hand, sought acquittals for all defendants.
Representing Katnić, attorney Ljubomir Raković stated that he also stood by the closing arguments presented in March. Katnić did not join the criminal prosecution of the defendants as an injured party, nor did he file a claim for damages.