Acting Director of the Police Directorate (UP), Lazar Šćepanović, said that the police blocked the city in a timely manner and seized some evidence after the shooting at the "Taormina" bar in Podgorica in which Ivan Milačić was killed last night, ten minutes before midnight.
He said he could not provide further details, but recalled that the murdered man was arrested in 2020 because he was suspected of creating a criminal organization.
"I will remind you that the person who died in 2020 was prosecuted and included in the indictment of the Special State Prosecutor's Office for creating a criminal organization. The epilogue of the court proceedings is that this person was acquitted of the charges, and that he was convicted of another criminal offense, but did not fully serve his sentence," he stated.
Šćepanović assessed that, as he said, the "initial trigger" for two murders in a few days in Podgorica came from Spain after the murder of a Montenegrin, but that there has been no official notification about the murder of that young man for now.
Šćepanović said that we now have 11 criminal groups in Montenegro, and that the two largest have more than 300 members.
"I stand before the Montenegrin public even when the security situation is becoming more complicated. I hope that we will shed light on this crime as well," he said.
"I promise that UP officers will continue to work to dismantle OKG. EU countries are also facing similar challenges. Considering the audacity, it is fortunate that we have no accidental victims," he said.
The UP, as Šćepanović stated, is not alone in the system. He emphasized that state institutions and international agencies will provide an appropriate response.
"As the Director of the Police Directorate, I fully understand the citizens' feelings of anxiety and express a determined and courageous fight against all forms of crime. Two serious crimes committed in a short period of time will not prevent the Police Directorate from confronting modern security threats, neutralizing, illuminating and exposing the most dangerous criminal networks," said Šćepanović.
He responded that the UP did not mislead the public, and that it did not hide the fact that a passerby was also slightly injured, and then explained that last night when they sent the statement, they did not even know that the woman had injuries from the shooting.
"Ten minutes before midnight, an unknown perpetrator killed IM, 32, who was sitting at a table with his friends. In this bloody attack, one person sustained bodily injuries, he is in the Clinical Center of Montenegro and is out of danger. Also, a third person reported to the Clinical Center, who was not in the direct path of the projectile and sustained minor bodily injuries and was only given first aid. It is most likely a graze." "UP officers immediately established a blockade of the city, undertook search operations in the immediate and wider area of the scene. Elite units were involved in the search for the perpetrators of these crimes," he said.
Šćepanović said that at this stage he cannot provide any more details that are important for proving this crime, and that the public will be informed in a timely manner after collecting more evidence and facts.
Regarding the murder of Igor Nedović, who was killed on July 16 in front of his family's house, the acting director of the Police Department announced that they immediately deployed all of the Police Department's capacities and collected evidence and objects that unequivocally point to a reasonable suspicion that Arjan Rečković (23) killed the young man.
"This person also used a firearm in the City Kvart neighborhood on May 17th of this year and seriously injured IN, after which police officers secured evidence and discovered the perpetrator and co-perpetrator of this criminal offense, who are in hiding and have strong logistical, financial and technical support. We are making enormous efforts to locate this person," he said.
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"I have ordered increased engagement at all levels, and these activities testify that we have solved 15 attempted murders and five murders, and on six occasions we have prevented the commission of serious crimes against life and limb. I promise that UP officers will continue to dismantle and solve the activities of organized crime groups with undiminished intensity," he said.
The police chief also announced that the UP is "one of the key players, but that it cannot assume absolute responsibility for the security situation in the country."
"I must point out the poor penal policy and the failure to issue verdicts within the legally prescribed time limit, because these are the very persons who are the targets of attacks or commit criminal acts. I hope that the National Security Agency and the Police Administration, through inter-institutional and international cooperation, along with the third branch of government, will provide an adequate response, because this is a security risk for the citizens of Montenegro."
"We regret that other institutions are not as efficient in all crisis situations as the Police Directorate."
"We are undertaking extensive police and prosecutorial actions. Our determination, courage, enthusiasm and competence give us hope for solving crimes. We are carrying out extensive activities, and I hope that if it is not resolved in a very short time, it will be resolved in the short term."
"All members of criminal groups have been informed through communication with Police Directorate officers to reduce their level of movement, because they are potential targets of opposing criminal groups, especially persons for whom the court has not issued a first-instance verdict within the legal deadline. They are aware that they are the target of opposing groups, their strategic commitment is to neutralize opposing groups. We cannot guard 3.000 or 2.000 people."
He responded that at least 70 people were released because the courts had not even issued a first-instance verdict within the legal three-year period.
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