SDT seeks more than 43 years in prison for Koprivica and the group

The Special State Prosecutor's Office (SDT) today requested the Higher Court in Podgorica to sentence Strahinja Koprivica to a single sentence of 17 years and six months in prison and a fine of 100.000 euros, while it proposed a total of more than 43 years in prison and 190.000 euros in fines for the other defendants in the same case.

Closing arguments in the trial against Strahinja Koprivica, Igor Krstović, Blaž Đurković, Nikola Vukotić and Marinko Koprivica continued before the High Court today. Special State Prosecutor Ivana Petrušić Vukašević proposed that the court find the defendants guilty and impose prison and fines on them.

For Strahinja Koprivica, the SDT proposed six years in prison for creating a criminal organization, four years for unauthorized production, possession and distribution of narcotic drugs, two years each for two criminal offenses of smuggling, and two years each for two criminal offenses of illicit trade.

The prosecution proposed that he be sentenced to a single sentence of 17 years and six months in prison, as well as a fine of 100.000 euros. The mitigating circumstances cited were the fact that he is the father of three minor children and that he has no previous convictions, while the aggravating circumstance was that he was once employed by the police and was aware that the acts he is charged with were illegal.

For Nikola Vukotić, the SDT requested three years in prison for creating a criminal organization and four years for unauthorized production, possession and distribution of narcotic drugs, proposing a single sentence of six years and ten months in prison. A fine of 20.000 euros was also proposed. The prosecution cited his lack of criminal record as a mitigating circumstance, while it found no aggravating circumstances.

Blaž Đurković was sentenced to three years in prison for creating a criminal organization and four years for the unauthorized production, possession and distribution of narcotic drugs, i.e. a single sentence of six years and ten months in prison. The SDT also proposed a fine of 20.000 euros. The fact that he is the father of a minor child was cited as a mitigating circumstance, while his previous traffic misdemeanor conviction was considered an aggravating factor.

The prosecution requested a sentence of five years in prison for Igor Krstović for the unauthorized production, possession and distribution of narcotics, as well as a fine of 50.000 euros. The mitigating circumstance was that he is a father of three children, while his previous convictions were considered an aggravating factor.

For Marinko Koprivica, the SDT proposed three years in prison for creating a criminal organization and two years in prison for two criminal offenses of smuggling. A single sentence of seven years in prison and a fine of 50.000 euros was proposed.

The prosecutor assessed that the allegations in the indictment were confirmed by material evidence and communications from the SKY application, and that the defendants were aware of the illegality of their actions. She disputed the defense's allegations and stated that the illicit trade in cigarettes was also confirmed by SKY communications and evidence of the seizure of cigarettes at the border crossing between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia.

Closing arguments will continue on June 16, when the defense attorneys for the accused will present their closing arguments.

The SDT indictment charges Strahinja Koprivica, Marinko Koprivica, Nikola Vukotić and Blažo Đurković with creating a criminal organization. Strahinja Koprivica, Đurković, Vukotić and Krstović are also charged with unauthorized production, possession and distribution of narcotic drugs, while Strahinja and Marinko Koprivica are charged with two criminal offenses of smuggling. Strahinja Koprivica is also charged with two criminal offenses of illicit trade.

According to the indictment, the criminal organization was organized by Strahinja Koprivica in early 2019, and operated on the territory of Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia until April 2021, with the aim of committing the criminal offenses of smuggling, unauthorized production, possession and distribution of narcotic drugs, and illicit trade for the purpose of acquiring illegal profit and power.