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| Slavko Stojanović dressed in police uniform |
Former Director of the Montenegrin Police, Slavko Stojanović, was arrested on Saturday in Podgorica, by order of the Special State Prosecutor's Office, on suspicion of "abuse of official position in connection with cigarette smuggling."
According to local media, Montenegrin Minister of the Interior, Danilo Šaranović, stated that "the arrest shows that no one is and will be above the law, and anyone involved in illegal activities will be brought to justice."
Montenegro's Prime Minister, Milojko Spajić, welcomed the authorities' decision to arrest Slavko Stojanović. He stated that "the determined fight against organized crime and corruption is a prerequisite for the rule of law and the most important criterion for accelerating the country's European path."
Slavko Stojanović served as the director of the Montenegrin police from 2013 to 2018. Analysts note that "during his tenure, more than 40 people were killed as a result of clashes between criminal clans in Montenegro."
In July of this year, authorities arrested Stojanović's successor as police director, Veselin Vujović, who served from 2018 to 2020. From 2020 to 2023, he served as the Security Adviser to former President Milo Đukanović.
Veselin Vujović is currently in pre-trial detention, under suspicion of creating a criminal organization, abuse of duty, and smuggling.