Former Director of Montenegro’s Police Slavko Stojanović was arrested in Podgorica on Saturday following an order from the Special State Prosecutor. The arrest is based on suspicions of “abusing official position related to cigarette smuggling”.
Montenegro’s Interior Minister Danilo Šaranović emphasized that “the arrest underscores that no one is exempt from the law, and anyone engaged in unlawful activities will face legal consequences”.
Montenegro’s Prime Minister Milojko Spajić supported the decision to arrest Slavko Stojanović, highlighting that “the resolute battle against organized crime and corruption is crucial for upholding the rule of law and represents a key criterion for advancing the country on its European path”.
Slavko Stojanović served as the director of Montenegro’s Police from 2013 to 2018. Analysts point out that “during his tenure, over 40 individuals lost their lives due to conflicts among criminal factions in Montenegro”.
In July of this year, authorities arrested Slavko Stojanović’s successor as police director, Veselin Vujović, who served in the role from 2018 to 2020. From 2020 to 2023, Vujović served as the Security Adviser to former President Milo Đukanović.
Veselin Vujović is currently in pretrial detention under suspicion of forming a criminal organization, abusing his duties, and involvement in smuggling.
The Democratic Party of Socialists, led by former President Đukanović, asserted at the time that the arrest of former Police Director Veselin Vujović was a result of “unprecedented pressure from the outgoing Prime Minister Dritan Abazović against this institution”.
