URGENT UPDATE: Refik and Ernest Kardović have taken a firm stand in a high-profile smuggling case, stating, “We do not know why we are on the defendant’s bench,” during a court hearing today at the Higher Court in Podgorica. The brothers, accused of involvement in a cigarette smuggling ring allegedly led by fugitive Vladimir Mijajlović, vehemently assert their innocence and claim all their assets have been acquired legally.
The Special State Prosecutor’s Office (SDT) has charged a ten-member group, including the Kardović brothers, with serious offenses, including the formation of a criminal organization and money laundering, stating they caused a loss of at least €3.52 million to the Montenegro budget. The accused claim that no evidence, including messages or documents, connects them to any criminal activity.
Ernest Kardović emphasized, “We are left without all our property, which we believe has been unjustly confiscated.” The prosecution contends that the group was involved in smuggling cigarettes through the Port of Bar, but the defense argues that the charges are baseless and founded on questionable evidence.
Lawyers for the defendants criticized the indictment’s reliance on questionable SKY communications, suggesting that the court may be approving charges on a “formalistic” basis without substantial evidence. Attorney Lazar Aković, representing most of the accused, stated, “This decision affects human destinies,” calling for a thorough review of the prosecution’s claims.
In a surprising turn, defense attorney Nikola Ivanović pointed to precedents in the U.S. legal system questioning the validity of such evidence, drawing parallels to notable cases that have cast doubt on the admissibility of similar communications.
The court’s decision on whether to proceed with the charges is expected soon, with the potential for significant implications for the defendants and ongoing investigations into organized crime in Montenegro.
As the situation develops, the Kardović brothers remain resolute in their claims of innocence, emphasizing their long-standing commitment to legal business practices. This case continues to unfold, drawing national attention and raising critical questions about the justice system’s handling of organized crime allegations in the region.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
