Andrija Mandić, Milan Knežević, and others have been acquitted of charges in the case of the „coup attempt“, or attempted terrorism on the day of the parliamentary elections in 2016.

The verdict was handed down by the Council of the Higher Court in Podgorica, headed by Zoran Radović. Radović said in the explanation of the verdict that out of all the weapons brought into Montenegro, only two mobile phones of the brand „Lenovo“ were found. Also, the allegations of the indictment that the witness collaborator Saša Sinđelić entered Moscow and met with the organizer of the criminal organization, Eduard Shishmakov, were not proven. It was determined from the correspondence of the Russian Federation that Sinđelić did not pass passport control and did not cross the border.

– So it was not proven that Sinđelić was in Moscow – said Radović, adding that Mandić’s and Knežević’s trip to Moscow was at the invitation of the United Russia party „and there was nothing secretive about it“. The weapons found in the house in the territory of Podgorica were taken on loan from the police, not for the preparation of an attack on the Montenegrin Assembly.

– The Council saw who the accused were, Dušić, Maksić, Branka Milić, that these are people of advanced age, said Judge Radović.

This acquittal comes after a lengthy legal process that began with the arrest of opposition leaders and activists on accusations of plotting a coup on the day of the parliamentary elections.

The case sparked political tensions in Montenegro, with the opposition claiming that the ruling party was using the legal system to silence dissent and suppress political opposition. The acquittal of Mandić, Knežević, and others is seen as a victory for the opposition and a blow to the ruling party.

The court’s decision to acquit the accused of charges related to the alleged coup attempt has been met with mixed reactions. While supporters of the opposition have welcomed the verdict as a victory for justice and the rule of law, supporters of the ruling party have expressed disappointment and frustration.

This case has raised questions about the independence of the judiciary in Montenegro and the politicization of the legal system. Critics argue that the ruling party has been using the judiciary to target its political opponents and suppress dissent.

The acquittal of Mandić, Knežević, and others is a significant development in Montenegro’s political landscape. It has the potential to shape the country’s political future and set a precedent for how future cases of alleged political violence will be handled.

The court’s decision to acquit the accused of charges related to the alleged coup attempt has been hailed as a victory for justice and the rule of law. It sends a strong message that political persecution and abuse of the legal system will not be tolerated in Montenegro.

However, the case has also highlighted the need for reforms in the country’s legal and judicial system to ensure greater transparency, accountability, and independence. The acquittal of Mandić, Knežević, and others is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to strengthen the rule of law and protect the rights of all citizens.

In conclusion, the acquittal of Andrija Mandić, Milan Knežević, and others in the case of the alleged coup attempt is a significant victory for justice and the rule of law in Montenegro. It is a strong message that political persecution and abuse of the legal system will not be tolerated. However, it also highlights the need for reforms to strengthen the country’s legal and judicial system to ensure greater transparency, accountability, and independence.