UPDATE: Former police officer Nikola Janičić has testified in a high-profile court case in Podgorica, emphatically stating that he was never asked to exclude anyone from a criminal complaint. This urgent testimony comes as part of the ongoing trial against former chief special prosecutor Milivoje Katnić and other key figures implicated in organized crime.
During over three hours of questioning, Janičić made it clear that neither Zoran Lazović, a former high-ranking police official, nor suspended prosecutor Saša Čađenović pressured him regarding any suspects, particularly Duško Roganović, who is linked to the criminal Kavač group.
“Zoran Lazović never called me to say that anyone should not be prosecuted, especially not Duško Roganović,” Janičić asserted during his testimony.
This case centers around serious allegations against Lazović, who is accused of forming a criminal organization. He allegedly protected Roganović by instructing prosecutors to exclude him from criminal cases. The implications of this testimony are profound, as it raises significant questions about the integrity of law enforcement in Montenegro.
Janičić also revealed that he first encountered Lazović in June 2019, coinciding with a murder case in Herceg Novi. He stated that there was no evidence linking Lazović to criminal groups based on surveillance measures.
Additionally, Janičić addressed the involvement of Serbian nationals Veljko Belivuk and Marko Miljković, who arrived in Montenegro in January 2021. He noted that law enforcement received credible information about a plot to eliminate them upon their arrival, leading to arrests and the discovery of weapons and encrypted phones.
Janicić’s testimony also touched on the murder case of Nikola Stanišić, highlighting initial failures to classify him as a victim until crucial evidence was obtained through international cooperation with Europol.
The court was set to hear additional witness testimonies from prosecutors Sanja Jovićević and Mira Samardžić, but those proceedings have been postponed, underscoring the complexity and gravity of this case.
As the trial proceeds, the public and legal communities are left to reflect on the unfolding revelations that could reshape perceptions of law enforcement in Montenegro. The next hearing is scheduled for December 22, 2023, where more details are expected to emerge.
This ongoing trial serves as a critical examination of the intersection between law enforcement and organized crime in the region, making it a significant matter of public interest.
