Montenegro’s Special State Prosecutor’s Office (SDT) has initiated an investigation into Milivoje Katnic, the former special chief prosecutor, for alleged war crimes committed during the Yugoslav conflict. According to local media reports, Katnic is accused of various human rights violations against Croatian civilians in the Cavat area in 1992.
The SDT arrested Katnic on April 14. The allegations include inhumane treatment of civilians during armed conflict, violations of the IV Geneva Convention for the Protection of Civilians in Time of War, and actions tied to torturing, injuring, and degrading civilian dignity.
The ongoing investigation is based on evidence gathered by Croatian authorities and the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals. Despite vehemently denying any participation in war crimes during his interrogation, Katnic faces a significant legal battle ahead.
Notably, these are not the first accusations against Katnic. Past allegations have tied him to arson attacks and robberies during the siege of Dubrovnik. A separate probe was launched in 2018 following accusations by opposition leader Nebojsa Medojevic, though it was eventually closed due to insufficient evidence.
Katnic has also been a central figure in high-profile cases, including the controversial 2016 “coup” case against Montenegro’s Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) government. He accused several Russian and Serbian nationals, along with prominent Montenegrin officials, of plotting to overthrow the government on election day by assassinating Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic.
The unfolding investigation will likely have substantial implications, not only for Katnic but also for the ongoing efforts to address wartime accountability in the Balkans.
For the original article, see JURIST – News.