Milivoje Katnic

Democratic Front leaders Milan Knezevic (L) and Andrija Mandic (R) at a pre-election rally in Podgorica, Montenegro in March. Photo: EPA-EFE/BORIS PEJOVIC

Defence lawyer Miroje Jovanovic asked the court to separate the proceedings against Mandic, Knezevic and Mandic's driver Mihailo Cadjenovic from the other ten defendants as the secret files apparently do not relate to them.

Montenegrin Deputy PM Dritan Abazovic and former head of National Security Agency Dejan Perunicic (right). Photo: Government of Montenegro

Special State Prosecutor Milivoje Katnic said Perunicic is suspected of abuse of office, after conforming that an illegal surveillance bug was found in his office.

Former Montenegrin National Security Agency officer Luka Bulatovic (left). Photo: Government of Montenegro

Montenegrin Deputy PM Dritan Abazovic and Interior Minister Sergej Sekulovic at a press conference. Photo: Government of Montenegro

Abazovic called on the Special State Prosecution to investigate his claim, adding that members of the Belivuk crime group had visited Montenegro despite prohibition orders.

Montenegrin Special State Prosecutor Milivoje Katnic on the press conference. Photo: PR Centar

During a parliamentary session, Katnic responded to allegations that the criminal group had enjoyed the support of former officials in Montenegro before the change of government there.

Montenegrin Supreme State Prosecutor, Ivica Stankovic, and Special State Prosecutor, Milivoje Katnic, in parliament. Photo: Parliament of Montenegro

Montenegrin Special State Prosecutor Milivoje Katnic gives a press conference in Podgorica. Photo: PR Centar.

"The prosecutor's office is continuously undertaking numerous activities in order to identify events in which Montenegrin citizens were potentially involved in war crimes and those who are potential perpetrators," Katnic told a press conference.

Supreme State Prosecutor Ivica Stankovic and Deputy PM Dritan Abazovic. Photo: Government of Montenegro

The changes being proposed would see Prosecutorial Council members being elected by the votes of 41 out of a total of MPs in parliament, while any reputable lawyer can be elected as Supreme State Prosecutor.

Game of Thrones

A protestor waves an EU and a Bulgarian flag during an anti-government protest in front of the Council of Ministers in Sofia, Bulgaria, 29 July 2020. EPA-EFE/VASSIL DONEV

Montenegrin Special State Prosecutor Milivoje Katnic in Podgorica. Photo: PR Centar.

Montenegro's State Prosecutor, Zivko Savovic, on Monday accused the Special State Prosecutor, Milivoje Katnic, of illegal acts during investigations into former ruling party officials.