Montenegro - March 2023

A large-scale investigation into organised crime has revealed ties between police and criminal groups and led to the government sacking police director, Zoran Brdjanin. Police assistant director, Dejan Knezevic, who was in charge of the fight against organized crime, was arrested for alleged links with the notorious Kavac drug group and for the creation of a criminal organization. The move comes following years of organized crime driven by gang violence and allegations that these groups have links with elite and government figures. Outgoing Prime Minister Dritan Abazović said that organized crime groups influenced the vote of no confidence to oust him, following increased raids for drugs and smuggled cigarettes leading to the biggest seizure of cocaine in the Balkans (1.4 tonnes). The Special State Prosecutor Sasa Cadjenovic was charged with protecting gang members, and Vesna Medenica, the head of the Supreme Court for 17 years, was charged for abuse of office and covering her son’s alleged illegal dealings with cocaine and cigarettes.

Sources: Balkan Insight (1), Balkan Insight (2)