Strahinja Koprivica sentenced to eight and a half years in prison

Strahinja Koprivica, a resident of Nikšić, was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison in the first instance by the Higher Court in Podgorica, and after the decision, his detention was extended.

Defendants Marinko Koprivica and Nikola Vukotić each received four years in prison, Blažo Đurković three, while Igor Krstović was sentenced to two years and two months in prison by a first-instance decision.

The first-instance verdict was issued by the panel of judge Boris Bulatović.

All defendants were remanded in custody after the verdict was pronounced.

The Special State Prosecutor's Office (SDT) requested in its closing arguments that the defendants be sentenced to prison terms exceeding 43 years in total, depending on the role of each of them.

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.

Strahinja Koprivica was convicted of the continuing criminal offense of smuggling, creation of an organized criminal organization, illegal possession and distribution of narcotic drugs, and illegal trade.

He is required to pay 75.000 euros, as well as an additional 173.000 euros in illegal property gain that he must compensate to the state.

Nikola Vukotić was convicted of the criminal offense of creating a criminal organization and trafficking in narcotics.

He owes the state 20.000 euros.

Blažo Đurković was sentenced to three years and three months for creating a criminal organization and possessing and trafficking narcotics.

Igor Krstović was sentenced to two years and two months for the criminal offense of possession and trafficking of narcotics, and is required to pay the state 25.000 euros.

Marinko Koprivica was sentenced to three years for smuggling and creating a criminal organization, and is required to pay the state 25.000 euros.

Judge Boris Bulatović, in explaining the verdict, said that the verdict was based on Sky communications and that it was supported by material evidence. As he said, there was no doubt for the court that a criminal organization existed and that Strahinja Koprivica was its organizer.

At the end of the hearing, Strahinja Koprivica's lawyer, Danilo Mićović, asked the judge whether his client could immediately begin serving his sentence due to, as he alleged, poor conditions in detention.