Montenegro’s Special Prosecutor Appeals Acquittal in Real Estate Case

The Special State Prosecutor’s Office (SDT) in Montenegro has filed an appeal against the acquittal of multiple defendants in a significant real estate case. This action was taken today, March 15, 2024, before the Appellate Court of Montenegro, following a first-instance ruling from the Special Department of the High Court in Podgorica.

The defendants include notable individuals such as Predrag Bošković, Budimir Šegrt, Suad Numanović, Sanja Vlahović, Ivan Brajović, Damir Šehović, and others. The case also involves Dražen Miličković, the former head of the cabinet of the President of Montenegro.

The first-instance verdict was publicly announced on May 16, 2023. A certified copy of this ruling was delivered to the SDT on October 14, 2023, which included a legal notice stating that an appeal could be filed within 15 days of receipt. Consequently, the SDT has submitted its appeal within the specified timeframe.

In the appeal, the SDT argues that there were substantial violations of criminal procedure regulations and claims that the factual circumstances of the case were determined incorrectly and incompletely. The prosecution has requested that the Appellate Court annul the first-instance ruling and remand the case back to the lower court for a new trial, suggesting that a completely reconstituted panel should oversee the proceedings.

Given the public interest surrounding this case, the SDT has announced that an anonymized version of the appeal document will be published in full, reflecting the transparency of the legal process.

This development marks a significant step in a case that has drawn considerable attention across Montenegro, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding accountability and legal proceedings within the country.