The Police Directorate has lodged a criminal complaint against its officer from Žabljak, S.Š. (32), based on suspicions that during the arrest of BK, a deceased local resident, last Thursday, he may have committed the offense of abuse.

On February 12, a criminal complaint was filed by the Žabljak Security Department with the Basic State Prosecutor’s Office in Pljevlja against the mentioned officer.

An investigation into the matter was initiated last Friday, February 7, after BK shared a photo on Facebook depicting a bruise on his face, claiming it was inflicted by a police officer.

In his post, he also referred to the officer by last name.

The following day, BK allegedly took his own life in the yard of his family home.

“Vijesti” has yet to confirm the reasons behind his suicide or if there is any correlation between the two incidents.

It is believed that BK sustained his injuries on February 6 while he was transported in a patrol vehicle.

The Emergency Services noted BK’s injuries when they arrived at his home on February 7, as he was facing other medical issues that prompted a request for assistance.

The Basic State Prosecutor’s Office in Pljevlja confirmed to “Vijesti” that police officers from the Žabljak Security Department reported a photo of BK on Facebook which raised suspicions that he was harmed by police personnel.

“Upon receiving the notification regarding the suspicion of torture, immediate actions were taken, and a case was opened to gather evidence and determine all relevant facts for the criminal proceedings,” stated the Pljevlja prosecutor’s office in their response.

The prosecutor’s office acknowledged that they received a report on February 8 regarding BK’s death, and the Higher State Prosecutor’s Office in Bijelo Polje was also notified to take appropriate action.

According to unconfirmed information from “Vijesti”, the Criminal Police Sector proceeded based on directives from the Pljevlja prosecutor, subsequently deciding to file charges against S.Ž. based on reasonable suspicion of committing the offense of abuse.

What exactly transpired will be revealed through the ongoing investigation.

The photo shared by BK on Facebook on February 7 clearly shows bruises on the left side of his face, with a caption suggesting that the injuries were the result of actions taken by a police officer.

“This is how the Žabljak police handle things when you try to report an issue or if you are facing harassment,” he wrote, mentioning the last name of the officer now suspected.

Three days ago, “Vijesti” sent inquiries to the Police Directorate regarding this delicate matter but has yet to receive a response.

Among the questions posed was whether the immediate supervisor of the officer in question had notified the acting director of the Police Directorate, Lazar Šćepanović, to initiate disciplinary action against S.Š.

The Internal Affairs Department of the Police will also be involved in reviewing this case.

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