The testimony from former Podgorica police chief Milan Paunović before the parliamentary Inquiry Committee reinforces the long-held assertions of the Socialist People’s Party (SNP). This testimony indicates that the previous regime organized assaults and intimidation of our party members and notable opposition figures through parapolice entities, including individuals from the Zemun clan equipped with official State Security Service ID cards, as stated by SNP Vice President Dragoslav Šćekić.

“The notorious ‘black threes’ were orchestrated by the upper echelons of the security services, consisting of specialized mobile teams made up of their most loyal members. These individuals were poised to ambush and violently attack, intimidate, or coerce anyone who disrupted their plans. Paunović validated the SNP’s public statements, revealing that these parapolice forces were armed with ‘pipes from the MUP warehouse’ to quell the January protests organized by our party. He disclosed that our colleagues were under surveillance by the so-called black threes and that mercenaries were imported into Montenegro to disrupt our gatherings. He affirmed the existence of the Seventh Directorate, which could only be controlled by the DPS regime’s hierarchy, including the Minister of Police and the head of the SDB. Furthermore, he noted that individuals were murdered on the streets of Podgorica at the behest of the then powers simply for opposing their criminally-driven policies, primarily aimed at profiting from the lucrative cigarette smuggling through Montenegro,” said Šćekić.

He anticipates that the relevant state prosecutor’s office will take action based on Paunović’s statements, as that is “the least they owe to the citizens who place their trust in them and have patiently awaited justice for three decades.”

“This testimony is crucial for uncovering the heinous murders of our comrades Duško Jovanović and Pavle Bulatović, as well as for all victims of the prior regime who suffered due to their dissent. I sincerely thank Mr. Paunović and wholeheartedly support his courageous decision to speak out for the sake of the victims, their families, and all honorable and decent citizens of Montenegro. He has illustrated that the journey toward truth and justice is arduous and slow but attainable. His testimony is especially pertinent now, during a pivotal moment for Montenegro, when the remnants of the former regime still attempt to exert control over certain government sectors must be severed,” concluded Šćekić.

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