Relatives and friends of Ivan Bušković said yesterday that they remember very well that on March 7, 2012, he and his friends played football in Zabjelo, but they no longer remember any details from that night.
They announced this while testifying in the Basic Court in Podgorica, during the continuation of the trial of those accused of giving false testimony to Nikola Bušković, Dragoslav Perazić, Ivan Siništaj, Borko Čađenović, Branko Bašović and Sim Đurović.
They are accused of lying in court on May 28, 2012, saying that Ivan Bušković played soccer with them on March 7, 2012, between 21 p.m. and 22 p.m.
At that time, "Vijesti" journalist Olivera Lakić was beaten, and Ivan Bušković was sentenced to death.
Witnesses - Borko Vukčević, Ivan Popadić, Nikola Šofranac and Savo Bušković confirmed yesterday that on the disputed day the defendants played football with Ivan Bušković during the period when Lakić was attacked, but they could not remember the result of the match, who won the match, and they were not sure neither who was wearing what then, nor who came and left the game with whom.
"I can swear that Ivan Bušković was at the game the whole time, I never lie," said Popadić.
Bušković's brother from uncle Savo said that he watched the game from the stands that day, while Vukčević and Šofranac said that he played the game with them that day.
Vukčević said that he always went to football in the same flashy jersey, while Šofranac could not remember what Vukčević came to the game in that day.
The only thing they all swore and were sure of was that Ivan Bušković played football with them all that day.
"I can swear that Ivan Bušković was at the game the whole time, I never lie," said Popadić.
Prosecutor Vukas Radonjić pointed out that "it is completely unclear and unacceptable that the witness remembered well who played everything that day, but does not remember the other circumstances".
Lawyer Milovan Milošević, defending the defendants, believes that it is quite logical that they remember that term better than the others, as well as the fact that, after two years, they remember who they played with, but not the other details.
Former police director Veselin Veljović said at the end of September 2013 "that the elders who led the investigation told him that Ivan Bušković is innocent in prison."
Even after reminding the lawyer Branislav Tapušković, the second defender of the accused, that the court had warned the witnesses that giving a false testimony is a criminal offense, they all stood by their statements.
"I guarantee with my life that Ivan Bušković was with me on the field and in my team the whole time," said Vukčević.
The trial continues on October 2. The criminal offense of giving a false statement is punishable by three months to five years in prison. Although Bušković was legally convicted for the attack, the motive was never established.
Former police director Veselin Veljović said at the end of September 2013 "that the elders who led the investigation told him that Ivan Bušković is innocent in prison."
He said this at the trial of his former footman and head of security, Milenko Mića Rabrenović, accused of threatening Lakić and her family.
After that testimony, Lakić filed a report against Veljović, and the investigation in that case has not been completed.
She asks the prosecution to investigate the veracity of his claims or, otherwise, to determine why he is helping B.ušković. Since February 2011, Lakić has been the target of harassment and threats, and later of physical attack. He has been under police protection for more than two years.
The decision of the High Court is still awaited
The outcome of the appeal of the Basic Prosecutor's Office, which they filed after the indictment proposal against Čurović and Sinistaj, accused of endangering the safety of journalist Olivera Lakić, was not yet known.
More than a month ago, Sinistaj and Čurović, in the company of Ivan Bušković, who was convicted for physically assaulting Lakić and Dragoslav Perazić, stopped "Vijesti" journalist Vladimir Otašević on the street and hurled a series of threats and insults at his colleague from the car.
The basic court rejected the indictment proposal against them, "because there is not enough evidence that the defendants are reasonably suspicious".
After that, there was an appeal from the Podgorica Prosecutor's Office.
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