Montenegro police arrest shakes Balkan’s biggest mafia, the Skaljari clan

Dino Ibrahimovic is arrested in Bar, linking him to the murder of Edmond Mustafa – key figure in Balkans’ largest mafia

Montenegro police apprehended Dino Ibrahimović in Bar on Tuesday, suspecting him in the killing of Edmond Mustafa, a former member of the notorious Skaljari clan. This morning’s discovery of Mustafa’s body in Bar triggered the swift action.

Prosecutor with the Higher State Prosecutor’s Office in Podgorica, Irena Buric, confirmed Ibrahimovic’s arrest. He faces charges of murder and illegal weapon and explosives possession. Police found an automatic rifle in his possession, suspected as the murder weapon.

Buric has spearheaded the investigation alongside the Bar Security Center and Danilovgrad Forensic Center experts, and she stated they are still probing the murder’s motive.

Eyewitnesses near Marsala Tita Street reported hearing several gunshots. They found Mustafa dead, lying between two parked cars, with a woman seen with him before the shooting.

In response, police swiftly cordoned off the city and captured Ibrahimovic, who was fleeing on an electric scooter while wearing a helmet. Police found the suspected murder weapon in a black travel bag during their search.

The Montenegrin mafia, known for its involvement in narcotics, tobacco smuggling, and arms trafficking, has seen significant activity from the Skaljari clan.

The 2021 Serious and Organized Crime Threat Assessment of Montenegro (SOCTA) highlighted the prominence of the Skaljari and Kavac clans in the so-called Balkan cartel.

With a structure allowing for independent regional factions, the Skaljari clan, once led by Jovan Vukotic until his murder in 2022, maintains a strong presence in Bar, Budva, Cetinje, and Podgorica.

The shooting, happening around 9:10 AM, signals the persistent organized crime issues in Montenegro. Police continue their investigation and will reportedly provide updates as new information surfaces.

Source: Newsroom