Montenegro now owes Duško Šarić nearly €15 million for the supposed financial damage his old construction company “Mat Company`` suffered while under state control. This happened back when he was accused of money laundering. The The Pljevlja Basic Court ruled in his favour, but the State Property Protection Office isn`t having it they`ve filed an appeal, saying the court got the facts all wrong.
A little backstory: Duško, brother of accused drug lord Darko Šarić, was arrested in 2010 in a massive international police operation. His close friend Jovica Lončar was also caught the following year. Prosecutors accused them of laudenring over €21 million from drug sales. After multiple trials, they were fully acquitted in 2017.
Fast forward to today Duško’s company (now called Level Ing) is demanding millions for damages. But the state`s appeal argues that the company`s assets weren`t actually harmed while under state control. They say the buildings, equipment, and land were returned in the same condition, and any loss in value was just due to time, market changes, and depreciation – not the government`s actions.
Another big argument? A 2008 contract between Duško’s company and a French investor fell apart before any assets were seized. So, according to the state, this lawsuit is one big reach. They claim the court failed to prove a direct link between the government`s actions and the financial loss Duško’s is claiming.
Bottom line: Montenegro might have to pay up, but the state is fighting hard to make sure they don`t. Now, it`s up to the higher court to decide.
This whole case is pretty crazy. We`ve got a guy who was once accused of laundering millions from drug sales, got cleared, and is now demanding a massive payout from the state. But if the government really did mishandle his company, does he have a right to compensation? Or is this just a clever way to cash in? Either way, it`s a big legal fight, and in the end, it might be Montenegro`s taxpayers who end up covering the cost.
Written by our correspondent A.A.
