Podgorica, (MINA) - Former Supreme Court President Vesna Medenica has been sentenced to ten years in prison in a first-instance ruling, announced the presiding judge of Podgorica High Court panel, judge Vesna Kovacevic.

Medenica’s son, Milos Medenica, was also sentenced to ten years, Vijesti daily reports.

Special prosecutors Jovan Vukotic and Vukas Radonjic, during their closing arguments, requested that both Milos and Vesna Medenica be sentenced to 20 years in prison and fined EUR 100,000 each, which, they said, would send a message to Montenegrin society and the EU that crime does not pay.

The defense attorneys sought acquittal for the accused.

The prosecution charged Vesna Medenica with complicity in a criminal organization which, according to the indictment, was led by her son Milos, and which was engaged in drug trafficking, cigarette smuggling, bribery, and illegal possession of weapons and explosives.

Thirteen other individuals, as well as one company, were included in the proceeding.