Caucasian clan: prosecutor's office proposes five to 15 years in prison

The prosecution has proposed prison sentences ranging from five to fifteen years for members of the Kavaški clan, a criminal organization accused of large-scale drug trafficking. The case, which has been ongoing at the Ljubljana District Court, involves fourteen individuals who are alleged to have operated as part of a hierarchical criminal network between December 2018 and May 2021. According to the indictment, they trafficked significant quantities of narcotics across multiple countries, including Slovenia and other European nations. The prosecution claims that the group sourced over 534 kilograms of cocaine, two tonnes of cannabis, 30 liters of amphetamine base, 10 kilograms of heroin, and 96 kilograms of hashish, among other drugs, primarily from the Netherlands, Spain, and other locations. These activities allegedly involved transporting the drugs into Slovenia and selling them to local dealers.

The prosecution's proposal includes a total of 110 years and six months in prison for all defendants, along with additional financial penalties and the confiscation of illicit gains for most of them. For three individuals—Klemen Kadivec, his brother Blaž Kadivec, and Drejc Kovač—the prosecution also recommends house arrest due to concerns about their potential flight risk. This decision is based on past incidents where both Kovač and Blaž Kadivec had previously fled abroad, and personal documents found on them were identified under false names with inserted photos.

Prosecutor Jože Levašič emphasized during the presentation of the closing statement that no mitigating circumstances were found for any of the accused. In determining the severity of the proposed sentences, he considered factors such as the extent of each defendant’s guilt, their predisposition towards committing crimes, the conditions under which the offenses occurred, and their behavior after the alleged crimes were committed. All 14 defendants and their legal representatives attended today’s hearing, with two appearing remotely via video link. Two others, who had missed a previous session, were informed of the court proceedings through a playback of the first part of the closing statement presented earlier this week.

During today’s proceedings, Levašič spent several hours detailing messages exchanged between the accused using encrypted communication platforms. These communications reportedly included discussions about drug trafficking, profits derived from these activities, references to a known associate named Darko Nevzatović, and even price lists related to assassinations and physical attacks. The defense began its response today, with attorney Timon Hren representing Danijel Mišljenović. He pointed out inconsistencies and discrepancies throughout the trial, particularly regarding the testimony of a key witness from the prosecution, Darko Nevzatović, and official police records. He also criticized the high level of proposed penalties, calling them absurdly excessive, and expressed expectations that the court would issue an acquittal.

The defense will continue presenting its arguments on July 8th. The proceedings highlight the complexity and gravity of the charges against the Kavaški clan, involving substantial amounts of illegal drugs and organized crime operations spanning multiple jurisdictions. As the trial progresses, the court will consider all evidence and arguments before delivering its final judgment. The outcome could set important precedents in how organized drug trafficking networks are prosecuted within Slovenia and potentially influence future legal strategies against similar groups operating across international borders.