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Messages from Koluvija and associates presented in 'Jovanjica' case
๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ธ Serbia /Crime & Justice

Messages from Koluvija and associates presented in 'Jovanjica' case

From N1 Serbia · () Serbian

Translated from Serbian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified In the courts
  • A court hearing in the "Jovanjica" case against Predrag Koluvija and associates involved presenting messages exchanged via a encrypted app.
  • Prosecutors allege these messages reveal how Koluvija's criminal group operated, discussing the cultivation of psychoactive cannabis and security measures.
  • The defense argued the evidence is invalid and manipulated, while one defendant, Aleksandar Toลกiฤ‡, cited confidentiality restrictions preventing him from fully testifying.

During a hearing at the Special Court, messages exchanged between Predrag Koluvija and his associates via the encrypted "Razgovor" application were presented as evidence in the "Jovanjica" case. Prosecutors claim these communications illustrate the operational methods of Koluvija's criminal group, detailing the cultivation of Indian psychoactive cannabis and security protocols implemented due to observed drones over the "Jovanjica" property.

Based on these messages, one can conclude how the criminal group, organized by Predrag Koluvija, functioned and committed criminal acts.

โ€” Prosecutor Saลกa DrecunDescribing the significance of the exchanged messages.

According to reports, the messages also discussed the distribution of weapons and the training of estate employees to avoid leaving DNA traces. Prosecutor Saลกa Drecun highlighted the financial power of Koluvija's group, as evidenced by these communications. Photographs of suspected psychoactive cannabis plants in greenhouses, exchanged between Koluvija and another associate, Vladan ลฝivojinoviฤ‡, were also shown. The prosecution indicated that the group engaged in similar business activities outside of Serbia, specifically in North Macedonia.

The defense contested the validity of the evidence, asserting that the messages were manipulated and lacked proof of exchange between the accused. Koluvija himself stated in court that the prosecution's claims were illogical and the messages were falsified.

Everything I said was illogical, and the messages were falsified.

โ€” Predrag KoluvijaKoluvija's response to the prosecution's presentation of evidence.

Further complicating the proceedings, Aleksandar Toลกiฤ‡, a defendant and member of the BIA (Security Information Agency), wished to provide testimony but cited strict confidentiality markings on relevant documents. He requested that the BIA lift these restrictions, but the agency has not yet complied, despite a similar request from the court. The "Jovanjica 1" trial has been ongoing for nearly six years, commencing in October 2020.

I cannot testify because I would be referring to documents marked as strictly confidential.

โ€” Aleksandar Toลกiฤ‡Explaining his inability to provide full testimony due to confidentiality.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by N1 Serbia in Serbian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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