The trial involving the accused police officer Petar Lazović, along with defendants Radoje Zvicer, Ljubo Milić, and Slobodan Kašćelan, resumed today at the Higher Court in Podgorica, presided over by Judge Veljko Radovanović.

Lazović resumed his defense today after the previous main hearing held on April 22nd.

In his defense, he asserted that he relayed information he received to his superiors and colleagues, thereby averting the murders of Marko Ljubiša Kan, Slobodan Kašćelan, Marko Miljković, and Veljko Belivuk. He claimed this also thwarted drug and cigarette trafficking.

Regarding the attempted murder of journalist Olivera Lakić, defendant Lazović stated he passed on the information he acquired to the authorities. He emphasized that he shared critical data with colleagues and superiors, which facilitated further actions leading to numerous arrests.

Lazović asserted that his reports led to the arrest of Dragoslav Ćetković, identified as an associate of the now-deceased Jovan Vukotić, the alleged leader of the Škalja clan. He further claimed to have provided intelligence regarding the suspected perpetrators in the murder of Jovan Klisić and the wounding of Velizar Gardašević.

In response to questions from his defense attorney, Nikola Martinović, Lazović revealed that he also informed his superior, Milorad Žižić, about plans for the murders of Veljko Belivuk and Marko Miljković, supposedly scheduled to occur as they were leaving Montenegro.

“Their murder was planned for when they departed Montenegro. Based on our intelligence, potential culprits identified included Mile Jovanović and Goran Marković. I know the police detained Goran Marković, discovering weapons in his possession. He was apprehended in a ‘sheltered’ apartment alongside Jovanović. I also reported that a stolen vehicle was found behind the bus station in Tivat, containing lime and a shovel. Evidence indicated that Goran Marković was intended to kill Belivuk and Miljković, after which the orchestration would involve his elimination to cover the traces, hence the lime and shovel. I also provided detailed intelligence regarding Jovan Mrvaljević, Mile Jovanović, and Mijušković. Their vehicle contained overalls, a mask, gloves, a firearm with a scraped serial number, and an encrypted phone. One individual took responsibility for this, while two were released before Jovanović was arrested again in connection with the planning of the murders of Belivuk and Miljković,” asserted Lazović.

He added that Mile Jovanović and Zoran Mrvaljević were allegedly harmed in a case pending against him and his associates for supposed abuses.

Lazović mentioned he informed his superiors about a planned assassination of Slobodan Kašćelan, also implicated in this indictment.

“I can’t disclose my source for that information. I provided my superiors with potential locations for the planned murder, which included routes near Kašćelan’s residence in Kotor, at traffic lights in the city, and near the Podgorica High Court. The explosive device was of substantial destructive capability—approximately three kilograms and 600 grams of plastic explosive, concealed in a hose pan with magnets capable of carrying a load of 20 kilograms,” Lazović elaborated.

“The explosive was intended to be affixed on the roof or side of the car. They planned to attach the explosive to a stolen motorcycle for easier maneuverability. I conveyed this information to my superior, Milorad Žižić,” he claimed in his defense.

He also referenced information regarding Marko Ljubiša, known as Kan.

“This individual is classified as a BIL person. Based on operational intelligence, he is the leader of the Budva branch of the Škaljar clan and a senior member of the organization. This information came from security services, not my own. I learned of plans for his assassination. Intelligence indicated that members of the Kavač clan were responsible for this.” Lazović reported that Kan was taken to official premises and briefed on the threat, which he personally witnessed.

“Subsequently, suspects were arrested, and criminal proceedings are underway against them for planning the murder of Kan. I read in the newspapers that some defendants’ three-year detention terms have elapsed,” Lazović added.

Lazović noted that he relayed information about mercenaries from Colombia entering Montenegro with plans for grave offenses.

“We had intelligence indicating they aimed to perpetrate serious crimes within Montenegro. I notified Milorad Žižić about this, which proved accurate. The Colombians were apprehended, described as hired killers. Goran Brajović allegedly transported them across Montenegro, subsequently arrested with them. I cannot confirm if he was aware of their intentions. Incidentally, proceedings are ongoing against me and other unidentified individuals regarding an alleged kidnapping of this Goran Brajović,” he reiterated in his defense.

Pantović: Allegations Resemble Science Fiction

After Lazović concluded his defense, defendants Slobodan Kašćelan, Radovan Mujović, Radovan Pantović, Nikša Perović, and Petar Mujović also presented their statements before the court.

“I deny all charges. I am innocent and languishing in prison. I’ve stated this before and will continue to assert it,” declared Kašćelan.

“I do not acknowledge committing any crime or culpability. I’ve endured six years of imprisonment for conviction. The SDT indictment claims I utilized SKY and traveled to South America and Africa, yet I have been incarcerated for six years,” remarked Radovan Mujović.

Pantović explained that he was arrested on alleged drug trafficking charges.

“I dispute any connection to SKY or its messages. I have never engaged with it. The prosecution is merely recycling the same messages across three indictments, implicating the same two men and acts. This serves only to justify our continued detention,” the accused expressed.

He added that the proceedings might not conclude before 2070, suggesting it all seemed fabricated and resembled science fiction.

Nikša Perović, in his defense, asserted that he operates a family business and has not engaged in money laundering. He indicated they secured loans to fund the relevant project.

Petar Mujović denied all allegations, asserting he did not partake in the attempted murder of Jovan Vukotić.

Indictment

In addition to Radoje Zvicer, Ljubo Milović, and Petar Lazović, the accused list includes Radoje Živković, Nikola Spasojević, Slobodan Kašćelan, Milan Vujotić, Duško Roganović, Radovan Mujović, Radovan Pantović, and Nikša Perović.

Lazović, Milović, Slobodan Kašćelan, Radovan Mujović, Pantović, and Perović face charges as members, alongside Ljubo Milović, Radoje Živković, Nikola Spasojević, and Duško Roganović, of a criminal organization spearheaded by Kotor resident Radoje Zvicer.

The indictment claims this organization was established in the latter half of 2020 and operated across Montenegro, South America, Africa, Europe, and Australia. Arrests occurred following media reports revealing EUROPOL’s alerts concerning Lazović’s potential criminal undertakings, coinciding with a release of “SKY” communications alleged to connect Petar Lazović with the Kavčani.

During the latter part of 2020, it is alleged that Radoje Zvicer orchestrated a criminal organization, which included defendants Milović Ljubo, Lazović Petar, Živković Radoje, Spasojević Nikola, Kašćelan Slobodan, Vujotić Milan, Roganović Duško, Mujović Radovan, Pantović Radovan, Perović Nikša, and others, with the intent to commit criminal offenses warranting a prison sentence of four years or more, aimed at acquiring illicit profits and influence. Each member was assigned specific roles within the planned operations of the organization, which were structured indefinitely and incorporated violence and intimidation as necessary. As the organizer, Zvicer appointed tasks targeting specific adversarial organization members for elimination, managed the laundering of narcotic drugs, and orchestrated smuggling operations across multiple international borders, ensuring compliance and control among his associates.

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