A resident of Podgorica, Bato Vujošević, has responded to a portion of today’s testimony by Milan Paunović, a long-time official from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Police Administration, before the parliamentary Inquiry Committee. During the presentation, Paunović mentioned Vujošević as one of the individuals allegedly involved in an attack on his son in 2009.

In a statement shared with “Vijesti,” Vujošević asserts that the younger Paunović initiated a confrontation at a restaurant and that he was unaware at the time that he was involved with Paunović’s son.

“In light of Mr. Paunović’s statements before the Inquiry Committee, I feel it is my responsibility, as both a man and an artist devoted to music and the peace among individuals, to clarify the truth regarding the altercation involving Milan Paunović’s son. I assert that Milan Paunović is untruthful in claiming that his son was beaten on state orders or that we were sent to provoke him.

“That night, we gathered at a restaurant for a family celebration, with Banović Mirko and Marinko and their families, as well as my wife and I. The incident in question arose when an unfamiliar individual, who I later discovered was Milan Paunović’s son, provoked me near the restroom by commenting on my profession with a remark like, ‘Aren’t you in bed already?’ I informed him and his friends that such behavior was inappropriate given our lack of acquaintance.

“The same group blocked my access to the restroom, which led to a physical altercation. I want to emphasize that Mirko Banović intervened and saved me from more serious harm, as I was outnumbered by four men. Only later did I learn that one of my attackers was indeed Milan Paunović’s son. I can’t provide any updates on what transpired after this unfortunate incident, but I affirm the truth of my account. I was shocked to see Milan Paunović’s assertion that a routine bar fight, instigated by his son, is being manipulated by the Inquiry Committee,” the statement reads.

News