Koprivica: The Democrats’ spokesman who judges and passes verdicts today once thanked me
The spokesman of the Democrats who today judges, passes verdicts and talks about the biggest arrest, once approached me after a Pride Parade, where homophobia was a prominent issue, and politely thanked me - former police official Duško Koprivica said today before the High Court. Koprivica is charged with participating in the laundering of nearly one million euros.
In addition to Koprivica, the indictment also includes his son-in-law Duško Roganović, whom police records identify as a high-ranking member of the Kavač organised crime clan, as well as Koprivica’s wife Radosava and son Strahinja.
- Who am I supposed to run from? From old age, from God, from my children, who are my life’s greatest achievement and for whom I would give my life? If the law were truly respected, 700 fellow detainees would not be in prison, and alternative measures would have been used instead. Along with my freedom, my life and health are being taken away. I have spent 18 months, or 13,000 hours, there - Koprivica told the panel presided over by Judge Nikola Boričić while explaining his request for release from detention.
According to Koprivica, the suggestion that he might flee is both ridiculous and absurd.
- No court in the world can say that I received a single euro from Duško Roganović that was illegally obtained - he said.
- I am withdrawing my request for release from detention and asking only for justice - Koprivica added.
Nevertheless, one of his defence attorneys, Matija Bulatović, maintained the request for his client’s release.
- Today, after 18 months in detention, the oldest detainee before this court stands here at the age of 72. He is a man with no criminal convictions, a family man, and someone deeply connected to his hometown of Nikšić. Speaking of justice, I must say that 18 months of detention can be nothing other than punishment before trial - attorney Bulatović stated.
Addressing Judge Boričić’s panel, he urged the court to move beyond what he described as strict and formalistic positions and to apply the principles of justice.
- I ask the panel to release my client from detention and instead impose a measure prohibiting him from leaving his residence - Bulatović said.
On the other hand, prosecutor Tanja Čolan Deretić opposed the defence motion.
- In the opinion of the Special State Prosecutor’s Office, the reasons for which detention was imposed and subsequently extended still exist. I therefore propose that the motion be rejected - the prosecutor stated.
Following a brief recess, Judge Boričić rejected attorney Bulatović’s request to release Koprivica, ruling that the grounds on which detention had originally been ordered and repeatedly extended still remained valid.
The trial then continued with the reading of written evidence.
The proceedings are scheduled to resume on July 7.