Podgorica, (MINA) - Businessman Cedomir Popovic has been released pending trial, following the expiry of a 30-day detention ordered by an investigative judge, the Basic State Prosecutor’s Office (ODT) in Herceg Novi announced, adding that there were no legal grounds to request an extension of the detention.

The ODT said that pre-criminal proceedings are ongoing before the prosecutor’s office, in which Popovic is suspected of having committed the continued criminal offense of construction without registration and documentation, for which a prison sentence of six months to five years is prescribed. 

“In proceedings for criminal offenses for which a fine or imprisonment of up to five years is prescribed, special provisions on summary proceedings apply, and in accordance with Article 448, paragraph 2 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, it is prescribed that, prior to the filing of indictment, detention may last only as long as it is necessary to carry out evidentiary actions, but not longer than 30 days”, the press release said.

The Herceg Novi ODT clarified that the extension of detention in summary proceedings after 30 days can only be requested after the filing of an indictment.

They said that in this specific case the investigation has not yet been completed.