The Supreme Court of Montenegro has delivered a ruling that dismisses the appeals of Luan, Ljuljzim, and Nura Hasanaj, who are facing accusations for the murder of police officer Milutin Leković, declaring the appeals unfounded and confirming the prior ruling from the Court of Appeals that sentenced each of them to 40 years in prison.

The Supreme Court clarified that the Higher Court in Podgorica’s verdict from March 2024 imposed individual long-term sentences of 40 years for the charge of culpable homicide in conjunction with the assault on an official while performing their duties, as well as for illegal possession of weapons and explosives. This includes credit for the time spent in detention since December 15, 2019. In December 2024, the Court of Appeals of Montenegro partially accepted the appeals of two defendants, lifting the charge of assault on an official while maintaining the aggravated murder verdict.

“Upon reviewing the appeal, the Supreme Court established that all pertinent facts were thoroughly and accurately assessed, that the verdict was issued in accordance with the proper application of substantive law, and that no procedural infractions occurred which would undermine the legality or accuracy of the decisions rendered.

“With this ruling from the Supreme Court, the judgment in question has become final,” the Public Relations Service of the Supreme Court reported.

Albanian nationals Luan Hasanaj, his brother Ljuljzim, and their mother Nura are charged as co-perpetrators in the murder of Leković, which took place on December 15, 2019, in Herceg Novi.

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