The trial against KRIK has begun based on Koluvija's third lawsuit.

Today, the court held the first preparatory hearing regarding Koluvija's lawsuit, during which evidence was proposed: documents on which KRIK's investigative story is based, access to the story itself, and hearings of both parties – the owner of "Jovanjica," Predrag Koluvija, and KRIK's editor, Stevan Dojčinović, along with journalist Sara Smolović.

In addition, KRIK's attorney proposed the hearing of witness Vidak Milačić, the owner of one of the three houses in Karaburma where marijuana was cultivated, and the plaintiff Saša Drecun, who is leading the "Jovanjica" case.

Judge Vladimir Miletić scheduled the next hearing for the end of January next year, at which time Koluvija is expected to testify.

Koluvija filed a lawsuit against KRIK after we revealed last year that the Organized Crime Prosecutor's Office suspected him as early as 2012 of being the leader of a group that cultivated marijuana in a laboratory hidden in the basements of three houses in Karaburma. This story is based on official police, court, and prosecutorial documents from the "Zeppelin" operation, as well as eyewitness testimonies. For instance, the owner of one of the houses, Vidak Milačić, told KRIK at that time that Koluvija was the tenant of his house.

In his lawsuit, Koluvija claims that the article harmed his honor and reputation and is seeking damages of 100,000 dinars from KRIK. In it, he did not specify what was inaccurate in the article.

This is the third lawsuit Koluvija has filed against KRIK.

The previous two were filed due to news from the "Jovanjica" trial. One of these proceedings is ongoing, while in the other, KRIK was definitively convicted for referring to Koluvija as an "accused drug lord" in the news. KRIK has continued to utilize remaining legal remedies in the country to initiate proceedings before the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

In addition to Koluvija, other defendants in organized crime cases, as well as businessmen close to the authorities, public officials, and even former ministers, have filed similar SLAPP lawsuits against KRIK – from Jelena Tanasković, the former Minister of Agriculture, to the judge of the Court of Appeals in Belgrade, Dušanka Đorđević. The editorial staff, along with international journalism associations, believes these lawsuits are an attempt to pressure journalists to cease their investigations and reporting on matters of public interest.

One such case is "Jovanjica."

The "Jovanjica" Case

"Jovanjica" is one of the largest and most significant organized crime cases being prosecuted in Serbia. Predrag Koluvija is on trial for allegedly being the head of a group that cultivated over one and a half tons of marijuana on his company's estate, "Jovanjica," near Stara Pazova.

The Organized Crime Prosecutor's Office has filed two indictments against Koluvija. In the second indictment, in addition to him, it accuses police officers and security personnel whom it claims helped keep the marijuana cultivation hidden by securing the estate, providing Koluvija with various police information, and supplying him with special police license plates.

Initially, two proceedings were conducted before the Special Court in Belgrade based on these indictments, but they were later merged, and a consolidated trial is now underway. The trial has been delayed due to Koluvija's absence – he has not appeared in court since March due to alleged illness.

While the trial is ongoing, Koluvija is defending himself from freedom and developing his business, with his attorney being Vladimir Đukanović, one of the most important members of the ruling SNS party.

Koluvija enjoys support from the authorities – regime media and high-ranking officials have publicly defended him for years.

While the authorities stand by Koluvija, he files lawsuits against media outlets that report critically on the "Jovanjica" case.

Read the details of the article about the "Zeppelin" operation for which Koluvija filed his third lawsuit

Source: KRIK