Krstović: We are an example of how two innocent people fight against a corrupt system and organized crime

Today, a session was held in the Court of Appeal of Montenegro where the appeal of the Special State Prosecutor's Office against the verdict of the High Court in Podgorica acquitted Budimir Krstović and his daughter Marina Krstović of the charge of smuggling 1.206 kilograms of cocaine.

The first-instance verdict of acquittal was pronounced by judge Vesna Kovačević in November last year.

Lawyers Dragoljub Đukanović and Stefan Jovanović suggested that the second-instance Appellate Court confirm the verdict, because only such a court decision is correct.

In her address to the court, Marina Krstović said that she has been going through Calvary for less than two years, and that today she entered the High Court building at the main entrance as a free citizen.

She said that she gladly responded to the invitation of the Appellate Court and purposefully came from another country to continue fighting for truth and justice.

"I did not come here to talk about how and to what extent my life has changed, nor to arouse pity in anyone here today. I thank all the journalists present today, who, after almost two years, still show interest in our case, because this is a case like is not remembered in the history of Montenegro, and beyond. We are an example of how two innocent people fight against a corrupt system and organized crime. We are an example of how people, who do honest work, can be destroyed in a second because it suited certain politicians in order to score cheap points, so what does it matter if a couple of innocent people get hurt along the way. We are an example of how the lower courts do not respect two decisions of the Constitutional Court. We are an example of what it looks like to violate human rights to freedom for a full 16 months," said Marina Krstović. .

He also claims that they are an example of how the prosecution conceals and falsifies evidence in order not to mislead the court and the entire public.

"We are an example of what it looks like when the prosecutor's office does not want to conduct an investigation because they were told so. Imagine, you seize a ton and 400 kilos of cocaine and you do not even bring a single person to an informative interview or interrogation. Imagine, you seize a ton and 400 kilos of cocaine, and you an indictment for a ton and 200. Imagine so many seizures without even informing the state authorities of Ecuador, where you claim the drugs came from."

She also said that she wears a label thanks to the Higher State Prosecutor's Office wherever she goes, and that she experiences constant looks over her shoulder and "here I am" comments.

"I still struggle with it to this day. As if the torture I went through locked up for 15 months wasn't enough. When many people ask me how I'm doing, they say "I'm fine, the worst is over". But is the worst really over? I day today I live in fear, anxiety, daily restlessness because I experienced a trauma from which I am still recovering. All thanks to the Higher State Prosecutor's Office, which at no time wanted to conduct an investigation, but only aimed at "how to fabricate evidence against Marina and Budimir and mislead the public and the court". That's why I'm here today, to fight for my family, for my father, for myself, for justice and truth, because every truth finds a way", said Krstović.

The prosecutor did not come to the council session

The defense lawyers pointed out that it is unacceptable that the state prosecutor did not come today to the council session where their appeal is discussed.

"It is unacceptable that the prosecutor did not come to this hearing, for such a case. I would be ashamed, if I were in his place, to come to the next hearing and look the accused and you in the eyes", said lawyer Bojana Franović.

Lawyer Stefan Jovanović stated that he expected the Higher State Prosecutor's Office to use resources and logistics to find the real culprit and not to file a complaint.

"By today's failure to attend this hearing and failure to attend the acquittal, the prosecution proved how it worked. With their inaction, they demonstrated injustice towards me and my daughter Marina. The Prosecution was protecting an unknown person. My daughter and I went through and are going through Golgotha ​​because certain politicians decided to accuse us. Fortunately for us, judge Vesna Kovačević saw the truth and made the only right decision. After leaving prison, I fell ill. I underwent surgery and today I am receiving treatment. We continue to suffer the torture of this prosecution. My account in Switzerland that has existed for 30 years has been blocked. I could not pay for the treatment. I used that account to educate my daughters abroad," said Budimir Krstović.