Key Witness in Montenegro 'Coup' Trial to Testify

A key witness in the trial for the alleged election-day coup plot in Montenegro, Sasa Sindjelic, is expected to give evidence before the court in Podgorica on Wednesday - his first public appearance since the launch of the case, which has been shadowed by conspiracy theories.

Sindjelic will appear at a hearing that will be broadcast live by various TV stations in the country after being held in a secret location under police protection since last November.

According to the prosecution, Sindjelic is the only person who had a direct contact and communication with two Russians - Eduard Shishmakov and Vladimir Popov, both believed to be military intelligence officers - who have been accused of being the masterminds behind the alleged coup plot.

The witness is also expected to address the controversy over his first name and to clarify whether he is called Aleksandar Sindjelic, as stated in all official prosecution documents, or Sasa Sindjelic, as his defence lawyers insist - a man who was convicted of murder in Croatia in 2001.

Ahead of his testimony, the Higher Court in Podgorica confirmed that Sindjelic could faces extradition to Croatia, where he is wanted to serve a 20-year prison sentence.

Aafter the hearing this week, Sindjelic could be placed in extradition detention, repoirts have suggested.

"We cannot precise if or when he could be extradited to Croatia," the court said on Friday.

Sindjelic was one of 20 Serbian citizens, including a former Serbian police general, Bratislav Dikic, to be arrested in Montenegro on October 16 in connection with the alleged plot.

Their apparent motive was to assassinate then Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic in a coup that would then bring the pro-Russian opposition to power.

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