A heated exchange between lawyers Zdravko Begović and Predrag Veljić characterized the latest session in the trial concerning those implicated in cigarette smuggling. This follows an incident in which a defendant physically confronted Libertas portal photojournalist Savo Prelević while he was capturing photos as he entered the courtroom.

Begović testified in the Misdemeanor Court during this session, stating that he overheard the offensive remarks Veljić directed at Prelević.

During the hearing today at the Higher Court in Podgorica, tensions escalated almost to a physical altercation between Veljić and Begović, sparked when the defendant remarked, “you should better not assist me,” referring to Begović’s previous testimony in the Minor Offences Court. Veljić responded with “don’t put my name in your mouth,” to which Begović fired back, “whoever brings you up.”

Following this verbal dispute, security personnel escorted Veljić from the dock into the audience area.

In the ongoing main trial against Mrkić for orchestrating a criminal organization, witness Velimir Peković was called to testify today. He was the executive director of Montenegro Duvan Komerc (MDC) in 2020, the firm established by Željko Bulatović, who has been identified as a member of the criminal organization.

Peković stated he had known Bulatović all his life and they attended university together in Pristina. He also indicated he was familiar with Bulatović’s family, who had congratulated him upon his appointment.

“I was selling figs on the street when Bulatović stopped to chat. We exchanged pleasantries regarding our health, and I asked if there were any job openings since I lacked the minimum requirement of 15 years of service. He promised to look into it, but said there were no vacancies at that moment. Over the summer, he reached out in January to offer me a position in the commercial department at the tobacco factory. I accepted and began working in March or April 2020 as the executive director,” Peković shared during yesterday’s proceedings at the High Court.

He expressed his faith in Bulatović, asserting that he was unaware of any criminal misconduct on his part.

“For 60 years, I’ve been dragged along by the police, prosecution, and judiciary,” he lamented.

After Peković’s testimony, the prosecutor emphasized the critical importance of such witnesses in their case.

“…Because, alongside other witnesses, they will illustrate the operational methods of the criminal organization, as well as the fact that the businesses owned by the organizers were managed by individuals unfamiliar with the company’s functionalities,” the prosecutor stated during the main hearing.

Incident Involving Veljić and Prelević

On February 12th, lawyer Begović stood near the courthouse entrance as Veljić threatened and verbally assaulted Prelević while he was performing his journalistic duties outside the High Court in Podgorica.

The accused member of the criminal organization taunted Prelević: “Look, hero, take a picture of me, and I’ll smash it over your head, you fool. Did you hear…”

In response, Begović interjected, telling Veljić that “people are simply doing their jobs.”

However, Veljić persisted with his insults.

“You bum…” Veljić retorted towards Prelević.

The Basic State Prosecutor’s Office in Podgorica subsequently initiated proceedings against Veljić ex officio, in line with the Supreme State Prosecutor’s guidelines for addressing assaults on journalists.

Indictment

Per the indictment, Aleksandar Lj. Mrkić, Veselin R. Veljović, Nikola Lj. Mrkić, Mujo Nikočević, Arsenije Kalezić, Stefan D. Bubanja, Nikola D. Bubanja, Željko M. Bulatović from Kolašin, Dušica G. Bulatović, Predrag D. Veljić, Borislav R. Lečić, Nemanja N. Anđelković, Goran M. Gluščević, Nikola M. Bačilović, and Sadik A. Elnagar, during 2018 in Cmojna Gora, saw the accused Mrkić Aleksandar organize a criminal enterprise, involving members Veljović Veselin, Nikola Mrkić, Mujo Nikočević, Kalezić Arsenije, Bubanja Stefan, Bubanja Nikola, Bulatović Željko, Bulatović Dušica, Veljić Predrag, Lečić Borislav, Anđelković Nemanja, Gluščević Goran, Bačilović Nikola, Sadig Elnagar, and others, aimed at executing various criminal offenses, including smuggling and money laundering, to obtain illegal gains and power. Mrkić Aleksandar is charged with orchestrating a criminal organization under Article 401a paragraph 1 in connection with paragraph 6 of the Criminal Code of Cmojna Gora, while Veljić Veselin, Nikočević Mujo, Mrkić Nikola, Kalezić Arsenije, Bubanja Stefan, Bubanja Nikola, Bulatović Željko, Bulatović Dušica, Veljić Predrag, Lečić Borislav, Anđelković Nemanja, Gluščević Goran, Bačilović Nikola, and Sadig Elnagar face charges related to the creation of a criminal organization under Article 401a paragraph 2 in relation to paragraph 1 16 of the Criminal Code of Cmojna Gora.

Additionally, defendants Mrkić Aleksandar, Nemanja Anđelković, and Arsenije Kalezić are accused of engaging in smuggling as co-perpetrators. The indictment also states that defendants Mrkić Aleksandar, Bubanja Stefan, and Bubanja Nikola were involved in smuggling as co-perpetrators under Article 265 paragraph 2 in conjunction with Article 23 paragraph 2 of the Criminal Code of Cmojna Gora.

Defendant Veljić Veselin is charged with abuse of official position under Article 416 paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code of Montenegro.

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