Businessman Zoran Bećirović, his son Luka, and bodyguard Mladen Mijatović have been found guilty of the November 10, 2024 attack on Pobjeda journalist Ana Raičković and members of her family.
For the criminal offense of violent behavior, which they committed knowing that Raičković was a journalist for Pobjeda and a contributor to TV E, the Basic Court in Podgorica sentenced Zoran Bećirović to one year and Mladen Mijatović to 10 months in prison. Time already spent in custody was counted toward their sentences.
Luka Bećirović recieved 7-month suspended sentence.
On the other hand, Ljubiša Dukić was acquitted due to a lack of evidence proving he committed the offense or had the intent to behave violently.
“Dukić’s behavior is expected of every citizen of Montenegro. Everyone should behave in a way that does not endanger the mental or physical integrity of others,” said Judge Ilija Radulović.
While explaining the verdict, Radulović stated that Zoran Bećirović and Mijatović persistently and severely violated the journalist’s physical integrity, which is why they were given actual prison sentences.
The court considered the following mitigating factors: neither Zoran Bećirović nor Mijatović had prior convictions; Mijatović is a family man with two underage children. Additionally, Luka Bećirović has no criminal record, is young, and his actions were directed at Raičković’s vehicle, not her personally.
“The court believed Ana Raičković’s testimony, which clearly and thoroughly described the incident. Her statement was substantially confirmed by a video recording she made with her phone,” the judge said.
He added that the video evidence completely contradicted the defense statements made by the accused.
The court did not accept the defendants’ testimonies as truthful, and according to Radulović, “it is clear their statements were calculated to lessen their own responsibility in the criminal proceedings.”
Raičković was attacked on November 10, 2024, in front of the restaurant Gurman in the Podgorica neighborhood of Blok 5, while with her son Uroš Gagović and fiancé Tomo Arapović. She was verbally abused, threatened, dragged out of her car, choked, pulled by the hair, and her car window was smashed.
Today, five months after the attack, Raičković was granted police protection, after the National Security Agency determined that her safety was at risk.