Court to Review Evidence Against Golubovic and Stanaj on December 26

On December 26, 2023, the High Court in Podgorica will assess the indictment against former Agency for National Security official Dusko Golubovic and Sander Stanaj, the owner of the Rokšped company. They are accused of forming a criminal organization responsible for smuggling cigarettes, leading to an estimated loss of €18.26 million to the Montenegrin state.

The hearing will be chaired by Judge Nenad Vujanovic, who will evaluate the evidence collected by the Special State Prosecutor’s Office (SDT). The indictment extends to an additional thirteen individuals, including Nuo Stanaj, Abedin Pepic, Andrija Petanovic, and several others who have yet to be publicly identified.

According to the SDT, the organization, led by Golubovic and Stanaj, operated between 2020 and 2021, smuggling untaxed cigarettes from the Free Trade Zone of Bar across customs lines. This operation allowed them to evade regulatory measures, distributing the contraband within Montenegro and other countries, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy. The resulting financial damage to the state was substantial due to the non-payment of customs duties, excise taxes, and other fees.

A financial investigation has also been launched against the accused, targeting all movable and immovable property suspected of being acquired through criminal activities. The goal of this investigation is to permanently seize these assets.

The involvement of retired ANB operative Golubovic and fugitive Stanaj was substantiated through an analysis of communications from encrypted messaging applications, particularly Sky, utilized during the years in question. Evidence suggests that Golubovic held a commanding role within the smuggling operation, with other members frequently referring to him as “boss” and seeking his approval for significant actions. Stanaj managed logistics and directive communications.

Golubovic was arrested in May on allegations of money laundering, which he denied. His attorney, Velibor Markovic, claims to possess documentation proving the legality of his client’s assets. Nonetheless, the SDT has frozen properties linked to Golubovic and his family, alleging that over the past decade, they amassed assets exceeding €1 million, including luxury vehicles and real estate both in Montenegro and abroad.

Notably, Golubovic’s name has previously been linked to Naser Keljmendi, an individual accused of international drug trafficking, with connections revealed in 2011 through telephone records. Golubovic acknowledged knowing Keljmendi but denied engaging in any joint business ventures. The Stanaj family, owners of Rokšped—one of Montenegro’s largest economic entities—has also faced allegations of connections to international cigarette smuggling networks for several years.

As the hearing approaches, the implications of this case could resonate beyond the courtroom, potentially impacting both local governance and international perceptions of organized crime in the region.