The trial concerning the murder of Miodrag Kruščić and the injury of Olivera Lakić was adjourned today at the Higher Court in Podgorica.

As was the case yesterday, the postponement is due to the absence of attorney Stefan Jokić, who represents the defendant Goran Vukčević.

Attorney Jokić, hailing from Serbia, is unable to attend as lawyers in his country are currently on strike due to a decision made by the local Bar Association.

In a letter to the court, Jokić mentioned he learned from the media that he has been fined 1,000 euros for his non-appearance. He also indicated in his correspondence that he is prohibited from taking action in cases at this time.

Defense attorneys representing the defendants in this trial informed the court today that the Bar Association of Montenegro has instructed lawyers not to fill in for their Serbian counterparts involved in legal proceedings in Montenegro.

The indictment includes individuals such as Milan Vujotić, former policeman Darko Lalović, Filip Knežević, Mario Milošević, Goran Rakočević, Veselin Bubanja, Filip Bešović, Luka Bulatović, Dejan Vukašinović, Branislav Karadžić, Goran Vukčević, Mijajlo Stojanović, Aleksandar Ljumović, and Sanja Božović.

They are also accused of smuggling 554 kilograms of marijuana from Albania into Montenegro on January 26, 2021.

“The Council of the High Court in Podgorica, by decision Kvso no. 39/23, issued on July 31 of this year, confirmed the indictment, Kt-S no. 265/20, dated June 20 of this year, which the Special State Prosecutor’s Office filed against 14 accused individuals: MV, GR, FB, FK, SB, LB, DV, DL, BK, MM, MS, A.Lj, and GV, for charges including forming a criminal organization, grievous bodily harm, aggravated murder, murder by incitement, illegal possession of weapons and explosive substances, and the unauthorized production, possession, and distribution of narcotic drugs concerning Oliver Lakić since May 8, 2018, along with the aggravated murder of Miodrag Kruščić on May 21, 2018, and the smuggling of 554 kg of marijuana from Albania to Montenegro on January 26, 2021,” stated Vukas Radonjić, the spokesman for the Special State Prosecutor’s Office.

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