The trial of businessman Duško Knežević in the Kaspiјa 1 and Kaspiјa 2 cases continued before the Higher Court in Podgorica. Economic-financial expert Borka Boričić presented a report stating that there was nothing suspicious in the transactions involving Duško Knežević’s accounts. It was noted that Knežević received two million euros in two installments from the legal entity THH Investment Limited Dubai, with the purpose of purchasing shares of the Princes hotel. The expert did not have access to the purchase agreement but reviewed the account statements and found no evidence of money laundering. Lawyer Dušan Radosavljević emphasized that the expert analysis was based on limited documentation and that there is no evidence of criminal origin of the money. The indictments relate to abuse of official position, where Knežević is accused of not returning 12.5 million euros to an Azerbaijani company that bought his hotel. The prosecution claims that Atlas Bank issued a guarantee which the Azerbaijanis activated after the purchase failed. The lawyer stressed that the accusations are unfounded and the money was not of criminal origin.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning reports emphasize the lack of evidence for criminal activity in the transactions involving Duško Knežević, highlighting the expert’s findings that no money laundering occurred and criticizing the prosecution for basing accusations on insufficient documentation. They may frame the case as an example of political persecution or misuse of judicial processes.
Center: Center-leaning coverage tends to present the facts of the trial objectively, reporting on the expert’s findings and the defense’s arguments without strong bias. They focus on the legal aspects of the case, the charges of abuse of official position, and the ongoing judicial process, maintaining a neutral tone.
Right: Right-leaning narratives might emphasize the accusations against Duško Knežević and the seriousness of the charges related to abuse of official position and financial misconduct. They may stress the need for accountability and the role of the judiciary in combating corruption, possibly supporting the prosecution’s stance.
