The decision by the Higher Court in Podgorica to release businessmen Ranko Ubović and Vladan Ivanović from detention has sparked a response from their defense attorney, Nikola Ivanović. He expressed surprise at the Special State Prosecutor’s Office (SDT) announcement, which claimed that the release was illegal.
According to Ivanović, the prosecutors conducted hearings with proposed witnesses and provided the judges with sufficient information to make a legal ruling on the release of his clients. He emphasized that the decision to free Ubović and Ivanović is both legitimate and lawful. Ivanović stated, “I believe that there was no reason to impose detention on these individuals, nor to consider their detention in isolation.” He argued that there is no substantial evidence suggesting they committed any criminal acts.
The SDT’s statement regarding the illegality of the release surprised Ivanović, who noted that such practices are typically accepted in similar cases. “This announcement astonishes me, but we remain open to further scrutiny by higher instances,” he added. Ivanović indicated that he would not comment further on the SDT’s statement, as he believes the court’s decision stands on solid legal grounds.
He mentioned that if the SDT decides to appeal the ruling, it will be subject to review by higher judicial authorities. “It remains to be seen what the perspective of higher instances will be regarding this matter,” he concluded, underscoring the possibilities within the legal framework for such cases.
The situation remains fluid, with both legal and public implications as the case progresses. The upcoming decisions from higher courts will likely further influence the discourse surrounding the release and any potential future hearings.
