“When the special prosecutor and his mentors find a drop of someone else’s blood and a gram of cocaine on my hands, I will judge myself.”

This statement was made by Zoran Lazović, the former assistant director of the Police Directorate, who is facing charges of forming a criminal organization and misusing his official position. He presented his remarks before the pre-trial panel at the Higher Court in Podgorica, addressing the prosecution’s claims.

“When the special prosecutor and his mentors find a drop of someone else’s blood and a gram of cocaine on my hands, I will judge myself. These so-called new elements in the indictment are not new to me. I will refrain from reiterating my previous statements to save everyone time. The corrected indictment – ‘time does not amend what originates from a bump.’ This time, time has revealed that the best judge is and that I have been right about everything. The indictment is a carefully crafted construct and a figment of the prosecutor’s imagination, imbued with animosity from him and his allies. We have seen the prosecutor deliver the indictment for hours without ever claiming there is evidence against me,” Lazović asserted.

He believes the prosecutor is abusing his authority for personal gain.

“He has no right to accuse someone without any evidence. The presumption of innocence does not apply to me and my family. As one MP remarked, he does not acknowledge the presumption of innocence regarding me. They even claim I am responsible for the situation in the Constitutional Court, that I organized student protests, and formed the government in Budva… They haven’t yet blamed me for the student protests in Serbia, but there’s still time,” Lazović stated in court.

“Their actions are fueled by hatred. It is evident to me who is targeting me. I recognize that they can act as they wish at this moment, but they won’t be able to do everything they desire. The accountability to God and the public has begun. I hope that it will soon also align with the law,” Lazović emphasized.

He added that he would continue to fight with even more determination, courage, and wisdom, asserting that the show is not yet over.

Katnić: This corrected indictment is also baffling

Former Chief Special Prosecutor Milivoje Katnić remarked during the indictment review that the court acted lawfully when it returned the indictment.

“The prosecutor should have conducted himself like a gentleman and followed the court’s directives. You have done something the prosecutor did not anticipate; you applied the law,” Katnić highlighted.

He outlined the reasons for his challenge to the revised indictment, emphasizing that witness “K’s” testimony was legally separated and not included in the case files.

“This corrected indictment is equally incomprehensible, and the prosecutor is distorting the facts,” he claimed.

The prosecutor referenced the Sky messages, while the defense argues there is insufficient evidence

Special State Prosecutor Miloš Šoškić stated that the indictment was revised in response to the court’s ruling, asserting that the previous one was submitted in accordance with court standards. As in the preceding two hearings regarding the earlier indictment, the prosecutor referenced Sky communication and messages attributed to Radoje Zvicer, Petar Lazović, and Ljubo Milović.

In the amended indictment, Šoškić asserted that the establishment of the criminal organization occurred in March 2020, based on the testimony of Milan Kankaraš, who provided information as a citizen on March 25, 2020.

Regarding the ban on Veljko Belivuk and Marko Miljković entering, the prosecutor indicated that it was evident from the police officers’ statements. He believes this conclusion was also drawn from the Sky correspondences.

In contrast, the defense contends this is political persecution and that there is a lack of evidence.

“Zoran Lazović and Milivoje Katnić have been abandoned to languish in prison, as many wished,” said attorney Zoran Piperović, representing Lazović during the indictment review.

“It is tragic that these men have been left to suffer in prison, unfortunately aligning with the desires of many. I am acutely aware of the significance of my words, and it embodies the entire human tragedy at this juncture. You have kept these two elderly men in custody for nearly a year, seemingly with no intention of releasing them. Who are we to mock these men who are serving time? We cannot concentrate on the evidence that the prosecutor presented today, as there isn’t a single piece of substantiated evidence. What we have are mere accusations without any foundation and the prosecutor’s mental improvisation that lacks any legal merit,” Piperović argued.

Lawyer Nikola Martinović echoed the sentiment of political persecution. Meanwhile, lawyer Stefan Jovanović remarked that the prosecution’s statements should not be trusted.

The defense specifically challenged the indictment’s claims that the aim of the criminal organization was to misuse their official positions. They emphasized that both Katnić and Lazović had retired during the contentious period and, therefore, did not hold official positions at that time, making it impossible for them to abuse such positions.

“According to the revised indictment, Zoran Lazović’s official role concludes on March 1, 2021. Since he loses his official status then, he cannot abuse his official position any longer. Regarding Zoran Lazović, the organized criminal group’s objectives fail because, according to the prosecutor, the group was established solely for the purpose of committing the offense of abusing official positions. So, the organized criminal group would be left without leadership after March 17, 2022 – what would Katnić do until February 2022 without a leader? If there’s no leader, Milivoje Katnić would be left alone. And do you believe, respected panel, that someone placed this in front of you for confirmation? No Montenegrin would sign this and endorse it. This appears forcefully contrived,” commented Piperović.

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