The Misdemeanor Court fined Predrag Veljić 1.000 euros for threats and insults he directed at Libertas photojournalist Savo Prelević on February 12.
The verdict was delivered by Misdemeanor Judge Sonja Pepeljak, who also ordered Veljić to cover the court costs, Libertas Press reports.
According to the portal, Veljić stated that he has no money to pay the fine and that he has already been on trial for six years in one case and two years in another.
“How many days in prison is 1.000 euros worth? I should go to prison right away” Veljić asked.
At the previous hearing on February 15, he admitted to making the insults but claimed that they were not directed only at Prelević, but at all journalists.
The legal representative of photojournalist Prelević, lawyer Dalibor Tomović, stated after the hearing that the prosecution has the right to appeal the verdict within eight days.
Before delivering the verdict, the judge heard a witness, lawyer Zdravko Begović, who was present during the incident.
In the Misdemeanor Court in Podgorica, a video was reviewed showing the insults and threats Veljić made on February 12, as he entered the High Court building in Podgorica, where he is on trial for being part of a criminal group involved in cigarette smuggling.
According to the Special State Prosecutor’s Office, the group was formed by Veljić’s brother, Aleksandar-Aco Mrkić, who is currently on the run.