Jovo Martinović’s trial continues

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Source/Author: SMCG

Podgorica, 19/09/2017 – The High Court in Podgorica has continued the trial to Montenegrin investigative journalist Jovo Martinović, one of the accused for international smuggling of narcotics, with listening of telephone records from secret surveillance measures.

He has been charged with the criminal offense – creating a criminal organization- (Article 401a, paragraph 2, related to paragraph 6 of the Criminal Code of Montenegro), as well as unauthorized production, possession and retailing of narcotics (Article 300 paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code of Montenegro). That was the reason why he was detained for 14 months. Martinović was in the Remand Prison from the end of October 2015 until the beginning of 2017. His case is specific in many aspects, among others because of the fact that this is the first case of journalist being suspected for criminal act related to organized crime.

Martinović claims that he is innocent and that he was arrested while on duty. This was also confirmed by the French production company CAPA Presse, which immediately after Martinović’s arrest had confirmed that he was working on a story for them, and that was the reason why he was connected with the accused Duško Martinović. They also confirmed that they were familiar with that fact.

Yesterday’s continuation of the main hearing was focused on listening of records of telephone conversations of Duško Martinović. Records and SMS messages were provided to the High Court by the Special Prosecutor’s Office and the Croatian Uskok. The hearing will be continued the next Monday, 25th September.