Barović acquitted of charges for illegal possession and carrying of weapons and explosives

The Basic Court in Podgorica acquitted Veselin Barović of the charges that he committed the criminal offense of illegal possession and carrying of weapons and explosives.

"The charge was essentially based on the fact that Veselin Barović was in unauthorized possession of a part of an automatic firearm - a Hekler & Koch assault rifle ammunition frame with the associated ammunition, namely 17 9x19mm caliber bullets. The court had in mind the provision of Article 3, paragraph 2 of the Weapons Act, which stipulates that a weapon is considered to be any part or replacement part that is specifically intended for a firearm and essential for its functioning, including the main parts of a weapon, the purchase of which requires approval," the court statement reads.

They said that the findings and opinion of ballistics expert Milovan Mihailović indicate that the Heckler & Koch assault rifle ammunition frame in question is detachable from the weapon, that is, it is not an integral part of the weapon, and that it does not belong to its main parts.

Therefore, the court concluded that the frame in question does not constitute a part of a weapon whose possession requires a special permit within the meaning of the cited legal provision.

"Furthermore, it follows from the letter from the Ministry of Internal Affairs that Barović possesses a valid firearms license for a 'Jericho' pistol, model 941F, caliber 9 mm Luger, while the expert confirmed that the found 9x19 mm ammunition can be used for the aforementioned weapon. Taking into account the above, the court found that his actions did not meet the essential elements of the criminal offense with which he was charged," the statement reads.