The Higher Court in Podgorica has decided to release businessmen Ranko Ubović and Vladan Ivanović, prompting a response from defense attorney Nikola Ivanović. The court ruled that the detention of the two individuals was unauthorized, a decision that has raised questions regarding the legal procedures followed by the Special State Prosecutor’s Office (SDT).
According to Ivanović, the SDT conducted hearings with proposed witnesses based on their scheduling constraints. This allowed judges at the Higher Court to make an informed decision, ultimately leading to the release of Ubović and Ivanović. “This is a legitimate and lawful decision,” he stated, emphasizing that there were no grounds for their detention in the first place.
Ivanović further argued that there was no substantial suspicion that his clients had committed any criminal offense, particularly not the one they were accused of. He expressed confidence that the matter will be thoroughly examined in court should it proceed to that stage.
In response to the SDT’s public statement asserting that the release was illegal, Ivanović expressed his surprise. “This is a legal practice and an unwritten rule in similar cases,” he remarked. He declined to provide further commentary on the SDT’s announcement, reiterating that the court’s decision was well-founded and lawful.
The potential for an appeal remains, as Ivanović noted, “It remains to be seen what position higher instances will take on this. The law provides for such a possibility.” He acknowledged that while the SDT’s statement surprised him, the matter would be addressed by the appropriate legal authorities moving forward.
As this legal situation unfolds, the implications for both the accused and the prosecutorial process in Montenegro will be closely monitored. The case raises essential questions about judicial practices and the balance between legal rights and the responsibilities of state prosecutors.
