Former Official Reveals Key Information on Criminal Network

Former head of the Department for the Suppression of Serious Crimes, Milorad Žižić, testified today in the Higher Court in Podgorica, detailing significant revelations regarding the alleged connections between law enforcement and criminal activities. During his testimony, Žižić stated that he was informed by former special prosecutor Saša Čađenović in 2021 that Petar Lazović, a suspended police officer, was utilizing the encrypted communication platform, Skaj.

Žižić made this disclosure while providing evidence in a case involving high-ranking police officials, including Zoran Lazović, former chief special prosecutor Milivoje Katnić, and suspended prosecutor Čađenović. He noted that he first learned about Lazović’s use of Skaj during his testimony at the Special State Prosecutor’s Office on August 10, 2021.

In his statement, Žižić also elaborated on the entry of Serbian nationals Veljko Belivuk and Marko Miljković into Montenegro, both of whom have been implicated in serious criminal offenses. He explained that when Belivuk and Miljković arrived in Tivat in January 2021, authorities initially lacked information regarding any criminal activities they may have committed in Montenegro.

“The first time I received such information was in June 2021, after we received an intelligence package from Europol,” Žižić stated. This package was sent following their request for the identification of two IMEI numbers associated with mobile devices.

The former official recounted that he was informed about the arrival of Belivuk and Miljković by the former head of the Podgorica Security Center, Milovan Pavićević, who had received a tip from his colleague in Serbia, Veselin Milić. Žižić immediately notified then-deputy police director Zoran Lazović, coordinating the involvement of the best police officers to ensure continuous monitoring of the two individuals.

He detailed the surveillance procedures put in place from the moment of Belivuk and Miljković’s arrival until their travel to Kavac, where they were later detained for questioning in OB Kotor. Despite the monitoring, their mobile phones were not confiscated upon arrival in Montenegro, as they were not considered suspects at that time.

Žižić also recalled plans by members of the Škaljari criminal group to eliminate Belivuk and Miljković at Tivat Airport, a plot that was reportedly thwarted. He informed his Serbian counterpart, Nevenko Marić, about their departure back to Serbia.

“Belivuk and Miljković were controlled at the Belgrade airport, and I assume their phones were confiscated after their detainment,” Žižić explained.

In addition to these revelations, Žižić addressed the case of Duško Roganović, a prominent member of the Kavac clan, who was implicated in drug trafficking. He clarified why Roganović had not faced prosecution, noting that the prosecutor at the time, Čađenović, and he had briefed Katnić about street-level drug sales linked to Roganović. However, they lacked sufficient evidence to proceed with charges.

In March 2021, when the Skaj platform was compromised, Žižić indicated that they had submitted a request to Europol to aid in clarifying serious criminal activities.

The accused individuals, including Zoran Lazović, retired chief special prosecutor Milivoje Katnić, and suspended special prosecutor Saša Čađenović, have denied the allegations from the Special Prosecutor’s Office, asserting that they did not misuse their positions to benefit individuals within criminal circles.

Prosecutor Miloš Šoškić has alleged that Zoran Lazović formed a criminal organization, which purportedly included retired prosecutor Katnić, suspended prosecutor Čađenović, and Lazović’s son Petar, who previously worked for the National Security Agency.

Zoran Lazović is alleged to be connected to lifting entry bans for criminals from Belgrade, including Belivuk and Miljković, during late December 2020 and early January 2021. He is also accused of protecting Roganović by allegedly instructing prosecutors to exclude him from criminal cases.

The trial is set to continue tomorrow, further exploring these serious allegations that have raised significant concerns about corruption within law enforcement in Montenegro.