The Basic State Prosecutor’s Office in Podgorica has filed an appeal with the Higher Court in Podgorica, challenging the verdict issued by the Basic Court in Podgorica concerning the criminal sanctions imposed on Zoran “Ćoćo” Bećirović, Luka Bećirović, and Mladen Mijatović. The three were convicted of the criminal offense of violent behavior committed against journalist Ana Raičković of Pobjeda, as well as Tomo Arapović and Uroš Gagović, according to a statement from the prosecutor’s office.
As Pobjeda reports, the same appeal contests the part of the verdict acquitting Ljubiša Dukić of charges related to the same criminal offense, the statement added.
Businessman Zoran “Ćoćo” Bećirović, his son Luka Bećirović, and Mladen Mijatović were found guilty of attacking Pobjeda journalist Ana Raičković.
In late April, the Basic Court in Podgorica sentenced Zoran Bećirović to one year in prison, Mijatović to ten months, while Luka Bećirović received a suspended sentence of seven months. Ljubiša Dukić was acquitted of all charges.
The Basic State Prosecutor’s Office had filed charges against Zoran Bećirović, his son Luka, Mladen Mijatović, and Ljubiša Dukić on December 4th, accusing them of violent behavior.
Journalist Ana Raičković was attacked on November 10th last year in front of the restaurant “Gurman,” along with her son Uroš Gagović and her fiancé Tomo Arapović. She was verbally abused, threatened, pulled from her car, choked, had her hair pulled, and the window of her car was smashed.
Five months after the attack, the Police Directorate assigned Raičković police protection. A police officer is now tasked with ensuring her personal safety.
The accused denied that the incident took place when police responded to Raičković’s report. Later, during the trial, they claimed they were unaware that she was a journalist and that no one insulted, threatened, or laid a hand on her.
However, these claims were contradicted by a recording from Raičković’s phone, played during one of the earlier hearings, which clearly captured the vile insults directed at her by businessman Zoran Bećirović and his bodyguard Mladen Mijatović.
Footage from a nearby security camera was also reviewed during the proceedings, and medical expert Krsto Nikolić confirmed that Raičković had sustained injuries to her neck and hand.
In addition, four witnesses were questioned during the trial. They stated that they had not heard Bećirović or Mijatović insult, threaten, or physically assault Raičković.
Source: Pobjeda