Montenegro and Croatia face major legal developments in corruption cases

Montenegro corruption drug trafficking investigation Mreža affair influence peddling Special State Prosecutor

In Montenegro, the High Court in Podgorica has rejected an indictment against businessman Aleksandar Mijajlović and several others, including former intelligence official Drago Spičanović and former defense minister Predrag Bošković. The prosecution had alleged the group used media influence to manipulate public opinion, but the court ruled there was insufficient evidence to support these claims.

Mijajlović faces separate legal proceedings. While his detention regarding the media influence case was lifted, he was subsequently detained in a different case involving allegations of cocaine smuggling. Defense lawyers have criticized the prosecution's evidence as insufficient.

In Croatia, the legal proceedings regarding the “Mreža affair” have progressed. The High Criminal Court ruled that secret recordings made by journalist Marin Vlahović are admissible evidence in the case against Jurica Lovrinčević, a former advisor to the Minister of Economy. Lovrinčević is accused of influence peddling by promising to direct public funds toward Mreža TV.

Entities

Aleksandar Mijajlović · Davor Filipović · High Court in Podgorica · Jurica Lovrinčević · Marin Vlahović · Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development · Montenegro · Special State Prosecution · Special State Prosecutor · Special State Prosecutor's Office · USKOK · Vukas Radonjić

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] The perpetrators were allegedly promised payment in cash and cocaine.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Ilija Krstić was one of the victims in the murders attributed to the Škaljari clan.
[● 4 SOURCES] The investigation concerns the suspected murder of Savo Lopičić in Spain in August 2020.
[● 3 SOURCES] The murder was allegedly committed out of reckless revenge and greed.
[● 3 SOURCES] The SDT launched a criminal proceeding against Montenegrin citizens Radovan Baćović and Ivan Đonović.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Montenegrin prosecutor's office filed indictments against Škaljari clan members for at least six murders between 2017 and 2019.
[● 2 SOURCES] Savo Lopičić was suspected of being a mole for the Kavač clan while working with the Škaljari clan.