Three defendants, Petar Lazović, Nikša Perović, and Radovan Pantović, were released from detention on January 5, 2024, according to a statement from Ivana Vukmirović, public relations advisor for the Higher Court in Montenegro. The court’s ruling followed a failure to issue a verdict within three years from the date the indictment was filed by the Special State Prosecutor’s Office (SDT).
The court noted that despite the release, the SDT has submitted a proposal for detention in other ongoing cases against the defendants. In response to this proposal, the criminal council of the Higher Court in Podgorica ordered the detention of Lazović, Perović, and Pantović based on provisions outlined in Article 175, points 1, 3, and 4 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
The decision to remand the defendants was made after the court heard their testimonies. The detention will remain in effect until further decisions are made by the court. The ruling allows for the possibility of appeal within three days of receipt, with such appeals directed to the Montenegrin Court of Appeals.
This case highlights ongoing legal proceedings in Montenegro and the challenges faced by the judicial system regarding timely verdicts. The implications of this ruling on the defendants and the broader legal context in which these cases are being handled remain to be seen.
