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HomeBlack NewsKnežević's video does not mention Đukanović in the context of taking money

Knežević’s video does not mention Đukanović in the context of taking money

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Knežević’s Video Omits Any Mention of Đukanović Regarding Financial Transactions

“In the recording where Duško Knežević is seen giving me 47,000 euros, there’s no mention of former president Milo Đukanović regarding this money. Milo is only referenced as being present at a DPS promotional rally in Zeta. I cannot comprehend how lawyer Dušan Radosavljević, who has reviewed the recording multiple times, could say otherwise,” stated defendant Slavoljub Migo Stijepović during today’s trial in the “Envelope” case at the Higher Court in Podgorica.

The conversation centered around the defense’s request to admit a recording, made public by Duško Knežević over five years ago, which depicts Knežević handing Stijepović an envelope filled with money.

Defendant Stijepović expressed his opposition to the presentation of this evidence and reiterated that Knežević had exploited their friendship.

“I did not give my consent for the recording. I have never claimed the recording was authentic. In the audio, Duško hands over 47,500 euros, a fact corroborated by witness testimonies. Additionally, when I mentioned attending the DPS rally in Zeta, Duško Knežević replied: ‘And Milo is going there too.’ Former president Milo Đukanović is mentioned in relation to the rally in Zeta, but he is not implicated in the transfer of money, as the funds were already handed over to me,” Stijepović highlighted.

Following this, defendant Duško Knežević attempted to speak, but panel president Judge Nenad Vujanović did not permit the discussion to commence.

“How can that be, brother? Everyone else can speak, but I cannot,” Knežević protested.

The judge cautioned him twice against speaking without court approval.

“This is a political trial. After your ruling, I will ‘ignite’ the political discourse in Montenegro,” Knežević declared.

Judge Vujanović responded that he was uninterested in either domestic or international politics.

“I am completely apolitical. I will issue a verdict based on the case files,” the judge said.

Today, the defense proposed that the recording of the money transfer between Duško Knežević and Slavoljub Stijepović be incorporated into the case files as valid evidence. Attorney Andrijana Razić made the case, recalling that the recording was captured in 2016 in Knežević’s residence and was publicized in 2019. She suggested that since the Special State Prosecutor’s Office (SDT) did not utilize it, the recording should be added to the case files.

“The authenticity of the recording has been confirmed by the defendant Stijepović himself, and any possibility of photomontage has been ruled out. The public is aware of the recording’s content, which contradicts several key allegations in the indictment and supports the defense’s claims. We insist that the court treat this evidence as legally valid. The entirety of Montenegro is discussing this recording because it has been made public. While it may have legal flaws regarding the Criminal Procedure Code’s provisions on the creation of photographs and audio-visual recordings, the defense believes those provisions are illogical. We argue that the established criteria for its creation—authenticity and confirmation of its content by Stijepović—should take precedence,” Razić asserted.

Razicphoto: Komnen Radević

Lawyer Radosavljević pointed out that Knežević made and disseminated the recording, which necessitates its presentation as evidence.

“The recording clearly shows that he handed over 97,500 euros, equivalent to 110,000 dollars, to Stijepović. The prosecutor overlooks the 50,000 euros and only acknowledges the 47,500 confirmed by receipts from the DPS Municipal Board in Zeta. He asserted that the money was intended for Milo, stating that he believed the funds were being given to Milo Đukanović,” Radosavljević explained.

Special Prosecutor Tanja Čolan Deretić noted that while it’s acknowledged that Knežević consented, Stijepović did not agree to the recording being made.

“Thus, the Special State Prosecutor’s Office deems this evidence legally invalid and did not propose it as part of the indictment,” the prosecutor indicated.

The judge scheduled the continuation of the trial for March 6, when the parties involved will present their closing arguments.

The indictment claims that Duško Knežević, after his associates converted $110,000 into euros, only handed 47,500 euros to Stijepović. Alongside Duško Knežević and Slavoljub Stijepović, Knežević’s associates and affiliates Branislav Todorović, Živko Šljivančanin, Tamara Krdžić, Goran Grujović, and Tomica Knežević face charges as well.

According to the indictment, in late 2010, Duško Knežević orchestrated a criminal organization responsible for retrieving funds acquired through illicit activities from various companies and subsequently funneling that money into legal channels.

In the first charge of the indictment, Duško Knežević is accused of establishing a criminal organization as articulated in Article 401a, paragraph 1 and paragraph 6 of the Criminal Code of Montenegro, while co-defendants Tomica Knežević, Branislav Todorović, Živko Šljivančanin, Goran Grujović, and Tamara Krdžić are implicated under Article 401a, paragraph 2 in conjunction with paragraphs 1 and 6 of the Criminal Code of Montenegro.

In the second charge, these defendants, as well as Slavoljub Stijepović, are alleged co-conspirators in committing the crime of money laundering per Article 268, paragraph 3 in conjunction with paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code of Montenegro.

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