Former special prosecutor Mira Samardžić said that Chief Special State Prosecutor Milivoje Katnić never exerted pressure on any case and that their relationship was collegial and correct.
Samardžić testified today at the Higher Court in Podgorica in the trial against Katnić, former police official Zoran Lazović, and special prosecutor Saša Čađenović.
Before the special panel presided over by Judge Veljko Radovanović, she stated that she stood by the statement she gave during the prosecutor's investigation. Responding to Katnić's questions, Samardžić could not remember any details from the cases that were filed against Ljubo Milović and other suspects.
She stated that she could not remember due to the passage of time, as those reconnaissances were almost eight years ago.
"Milivoje Katnić never exerted pressure for any subject. The relations were collegial and correct," said Samardžić.
She added that she did not remember whether Katnić took and checked her belongings.
Lazović's defense attorney, attorney Zoran Piperović, pointed out to the trial panel that her testimony had no connection to the indictment's dispositive portion, which refers to Zoran Lazović and the criminal offense of creating a criminal organization.
Katnić's defense attorney, attorney Ljubomir Raković, said that the defense had not been provided with evidence from those cases, which was presented to Samardžić by special prosecutor Miloš Šoškić on April 15, 2017.
"Because of such conduct, Katnić filed a criminal complaint against Miloš Šoškić. On September 25, I wrote to the Chief Special Prosecutor Vladimir Novović and the Supreme State Prosecutor Milorad Marković to provide us with evidence, but this has not been done by the time this hearing was held, and I have not received a response to my request," Raković pointed out.
Katnić said that he did not attend Samardžić's questioning at the SDT, but that his ex officio defense attorney was only informed. He added that he was explicit that he would not take any official action because he did not want him to represent him.
Katnić said that Samardžić could not remember anything except one fact, that she did not consult with him in the Milović case regarding his prosecution - arrest.
Witness Nikola Janičić, who was employed in the Sector for Combating Organized Crime, categorically stated that he was never asked to prevent a person from being prosecuted.
The trial continues on December 24 with the hearing of witnesses.
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