Trial of Katnić and Čađenović postponed until June 11

The start of the trial of former Chief Special Prosecutor Milivoje Katnić and suspended Special Prosecutor Saša Čađenović, who are suspected of abusing their official positions in the case publicly known as the „coup d’état case“, has been postponed until June 11.

Katnić’s defence attorney, Ljubomir Raković, requested that the proceedings be adjourned because he had not yet delivered all case files and evidence to his client.

Prosecutor Vukas Radonjić opposed the request for postponement, but High Court Judge Sonja Keković granted the motion submitted by Katnić’s defence.

The indictment alleges that Katnić and Čađenović, acting as co-perpetrators, committed the criminal offences of abuse of office and unlawful influence in connection with the „coup d’état case“ case.

The Special State Prosecutor’s Office previously stated that the subject of the indictment was „the joint decision of the defendants to reach an agreement with the legal representative of Joseph Asad, a United States citizen, for him to come to Montenegro and testify in the manner required by the defendants in proceedings before the High Court in Podgorica against Andrija Mandić and Milan Knežević, leaders of the Democratic Front political alliance, and other individuals charged with the criminal offences of creating a criminal organisation, attempted terrorism, and preparing acts against the constitutional order and security of Montenegro through incitement“.

The Special State Prosecutor’s Office, represented by Čađenović, had previously initiated criminal proceedings against Asad on charges of creating a criminal organisation and aiding attempted terrorism.

- There is a suspicion that Asad’s arrival was intended to corroborate the allegations contained in the Special State Prosecutor’s Office indictment against the accused, which was prosecuted by the defendants, and that in return the national and international arrest warrants against him would be withdrawn, he would not be arrested or detained, and the criminal proceedings against him would be discontinued - the Special State Prosecutor’s Office previously stated.

In December 2025, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal filed by the Special State Prosecutor’s Office and upheld the ruling of the High Court in Podgorica acquitting all defendants in the „coup d’état case“.

The High Court acquitted Eduard Šišmakov, Vladimir Popov, Bratislav Dikić, Predrag Bogićević, Nemanja Ristić, Srboljub Đorđević, Kristina Hristić, Branka Milić, Milan Dušić, Dragan Maksić, Mihailo Čađenović, Andrija Mandić and Milan Knežević of all charges.