Heated exchange between Piperović and Šoškić; Lazović: The prosecutor is carrying out the work of my enemies

Proceedings continued today before the High Court in Podgorica with the reading of documentary evidence in the case against former senior police official Zoran Lazović, former Chief Special Prosecutor Milivoje Katnić, and suspended prosecutor Saša Čađenović. Among the evidence presented was a photocopy of records documenting Lazović's entry to and exit from the Special State Prosecutor's Office in September 2021, following his questioning by prosecutor Sanja Jovićević. The document sparked a heated exchange between Lazović's defence attorney Zoran Piperović and Special Prosecutor Miloš Šoškić. During the hearing, Lazović said that Prosecutor Šoškić was „carrying out the work of his enemies“.

„Mental fantasies about an organized criminal group“

Lazović's defence lawyer, Zoran Piperović, said that no matter what one might say about the document in question, it proved „absolutely nothing“.

- The prosecutor says that Mr. Lazović and I were together in Prosecutor Jovićević's office that day. Then he lets his imagination run wild. I know what Prosecutor Šoškić thinks of Zoran Lazović, that he wishes him harm, but I didn't know he thought the same, or even worse, about me. It is astonishing that a colleague would seek to link the defence lawyer of one of the accused to something that would also drag him into these mental fantasies about an organized criminal group. He is suggesting to the trial panel that I was at Sanja Jovićević's office to persuade her to dismiss the criminal complaint against Zoran Lazović. I knew about that complaint about as much as my late father did. I have never in my life gone together with Zoran Lazović to see Sanja Jovićević, and she herself confirmed that. Yet my colleague feels the need, while trying to prove the guilt of Person „A“, to involve, in one way or another - professionally or unprofessionally, courageously or honourably - a man who is simply doing his job in this case. Nothing more - Piperović said.

Piperović then turned to Prosecutor Šoškić and remarked: „Now I know what you think of us. Why are you looking at me?“.

Šoškić responded by asking the court that Piperović not address him using the informal „you“.

Piperović replied: „And you can call me 'this guy'“.

- This evidence is personal. Nothing can be taken from me except my life and my honour, and I will not give either away. He is attacking my honour, my dignity, my character and my pride. But doing so indirectly, in an uncollegial and inhumane manner - that is unacceptable – Piperović said.

„If Šoškić wished me harm, we wouldn't be having lunch together“

After Piperović's remarks, Lazović addressed the court, saying that this was the first time he had heard that Prosecutor Šoškić allegedly wished him harm.

- If he wished me harm, we wouldn't be sitting down and having lunch together. That is why I believe he does not wish me any harm. I am aware that the prosecutor is carrying out the work of missionaries and my enemies - Lazović said.

He also stated that he first communicated with lawyer Piperović in 2022, after his son, Petar Lazović, had been arrested.

Lawyer Jovanović challenges Prosecutor Šoškić's claims

Prosecutor Šoškić argued that the September 2021 SSPO entry and exit records had been submitted and admitted as evidence solely to establish when information began to be collected from Lazović and to show that, before giving his statement, he had reported to then-Chief Special Prosecutor Milivoje Katnić. However, those claims were challenged by another member of Lazović's defence team, attorney Stefan Jovanović.

- None of the other individuals listed in those records are the subject of, or of interest to, the Special State Prosecutor's Office - Šoškić added.

Jovanović replied that the reasoning contained in the indictment specifically highlights Piperović.

- For that particular date, the indictment emphasizes Piperović's alleged presence in Prosecutor Jovićević's office during the same time period as Zoran Lazović. If this is a mistake, then there is no issue. But if it is not a mistake, I remind you that Sanja Jovićević herself testified as a witness that only Zoran Lazović was in her office that day. This is also evident from the official record signed by Prosecutor Jovićević, the court clerk and Lazović in his capacity as a citizen - Jovanović said.