PODGORICA, 26.01.2026 – The trial for the murder of Miodrag Kruščić and the wounding of journalist Olivera Lakić was postponed today before the High Court in Podgorica until 12 February.
The special panel presided over by Judge Radovan Vlaović accepted the proposal of the Special State Prosecutor’s Office (SDT) for protected witness Bajram Pista to be examined under special protection measures.
The court ruled that Pista will testify behind a protective screen, with voice distortion and identity protection, from a separate room.
However, the court rejected the SDT’s request to exclude the public from the main hearing during Pista’s testimony.
The judge stated that defence counsel and the defendants, who objected to this decision, have the right to appeal.
Defendants Goran Rakočević and Mario Milošević dismissed their defence attorneys.
They stated that it is publicly known that Pista lives in Orahovac, Kosovo, and argued that there is no need for the court to conceal him, claiming that nothing would happen to him.
Defendant Goran Rakočević also said that Bajram Pista is not the witness’s real identity, claiming that his real name is Viktor Kraft.
“How can a sick man be a witness when 20 grams of heroin were found on him?” defendant Veselin Bubanja asked.
Defendant Goran Vukčević said that the SDT could bring another witness instead of Bajram Pista, as the defendants would not have the opportunity to see him in the courtroom.
Defence lawyer Marko Radović proposed that the court request information from the Ministry of Interior on whether Bajram Pista has been banned from entering the 28 Schengen Area countries, and if so, for what reasons, and that this information be verified.
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