“I can assure you that I have never encountered an encrypted phone belonging to my son Petar, nor have I been aware of any communication he had with members of criminal groups. I swear on Petar’s life,” stated defendant Zoran Lazović today during the continuation of the trial before the special chamber of Veljko Radovanović at the Higher Court in Podgorica, as he responded to questions from his defense attorney, Zoran Piperović.

He mentioned that he did not receive any financial support from his son Petar.

“It’s an absurd claim that he took care of me financially. If I had known, he wouldn’t have had the opportunity or freedom because he would need to explain to me the source of the money. He is still a tenant. As a son, he was considerate, occasionally gifting me something for my birthday,” he said in court.

He noted that even during his youth, he didn’t take money from his family unless it was during the first year of college.

“Then I got to work. I earned money by digging canals, working on the railway, and providing security in bars,” Lazović explained.

He emphasized that he never saw signs of Petar living extravagantly or vacationing in luxurious places.

Lazović stated that he never sought any favors from former Chief Special Prosecutor Milivoje Katnić, nor from any other prosecutor or judge, including assistance for Duško Roganović regarding criminal prosecution. He asserts that he never mentioned Roganović’s name to Milivoje Katnić, whether in a private or professional context.

“I was aware of reconnaissance operations against the ‘Kavč’ group following the murder of Šćepan Roganović in Herceg Novi, but I didn’t know who the proceedings were against. I worked in both the police and the ANB and never conducted investigations or reconnaissance, nor did I submit any initiatives or measures. Regarding Petar, I was against him transferring to the police from the ANB, understanding the complexities of the job. Petar managed to make the transition through the then directors of the UP and ANB. He only visited my office a few times for personal and family matters, once concerning a cocaine seizure on the Budva ship which was later confiscated in Hamburg, involving joint efforts with German colleagues.

He clarified that he did not discuss the entry of Veljko Belivuk and Marko Miljković into Montenegro with Petar or anyone else.

“No one knew precisely when they would arrive, and our goal was to link them with the Kavač clan in Montenegro while we monitored Belivuk and Miljković. We had operational information indicating that this Belgrade group was collaborating with the Kavač clan. I was aware of their entry and informed several authorities including the Police Department director, the Special Prosecutor, and members of the Podgorica Central Bureau, among others.”

He added that Enes Baković, then an assistant to the criminal police, was also privy to this information.

“After the successful operation, I went to buy a drink and congratulated Milovan Pavićević on the achievement. I did mention at that time that the entire investigation team should be recognized, and there is documentation to support that,” Lazović stated, addressing more than twenty questions from lawyer Zoran Piperović.

After Belivuk and Miljković arrived at Tivat airport, they informed their Serbian colleagues, N.Ž., who relayed the information to NM. This was communicated both when they arrived and on their return to Serbia. We maintained constant communication to address any changes.

At the previous main trial hearing on May 9, defendant Lazović presented his defense after special prosecutor Miloš Šoškić read two indictments against him, former assistant director of the Police Directorate, and Milivoj Katnić, along with special prosecutor Saša Čađenović, for charges related to creating a criminal organization, abuse of official position, and money laundering.

Pleading not guilty to the seven-count indictment, defendant Zoran Lazović clarified that he did not admit to any criminal offense.

The pre-trial panel of the Higher Court in Podgorica confirmed the indictment from the SDT, which accuses Lazović of creating a criminal organization under Article 401a, paragraph 1, in conjunction with paragraph 6 of the Criminal Code of Montenegro, and abuse of official position under Article 416, paragraph 1.

Additionally, he faces charges under Article 268, paragraph 1 regarding money laundering, and Article 403 related to illegal possession and carrying of weapons and explosives. Meanwhile, defendant MK is charged with creating a criminal organization under Article 401a, paragraph 2, and of two counts of abuse of official position alongside charges of illegal possession of weapons.

The panel concluded that the evidence provided in the indictment justifies reasonable suspicion that defendants Lazović and Katnić committed the alleged crimes.

Lazović is accused of orchestrating a criminal organization in 2020 that included Katnić, special prosecutor Saša Čađenović, and others, and of collaborating with the organized crime group led by the notorious Kavač clan leader, Radoje Zvicer.

Former GST Katnić is alleged to have abused his official position alongside prosecutor Čađenović in January 2022, securing benefits for Petar Lazović and several others connected to the criminal organization.

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