Darko Šarić Sentenced Amid Ongoing Legal Turmoil

Belgrade, Serbia — Darko Šarić was sentenced to one year in prison on Monday for his affiliation with a criminal group, marking a significant moment in his ongoing legal battles. The judgment comes nearly two years after a warrant for his arrest was issued in July 2022, leading to his eventual surrender to the Serbian police.

Since his last public appearance in 2015, Šarić’s physical transformation has been noteworthy. Photographs show him with long hair and a beard, changes that he reportedly made while evading law enforcement during his fugitive status.

In November 2024, following a medical operation, Šarić spoke to the media, revealing the extent of his injury. “I was cut, I have a big scar from my lung down, and now I feel about 60 to 70 percent better. I’m still not completely stable, and I’ve lost weight, but the surgery was necessary,” he stated.

The relationship between Šarić and former NBA star Nikola Peković, who was also the president of the Basketball Federation of Montenegro, has been a topic of speculation for years. Their friendship reportedly began in 2014 when Peković was photographed on Šarić’s yacht near Budva, a time when Šarić was not yet cleared of money laundering charges related to drug trafficking.

Peković reflected on their friendship, stating, “After Duško was released from custody, I think in May 2014, which is the same year as that famous yacht photo, we met through mutual friends. We quickly became friends and exchanged phone numbers. Over time, that friendship grew, and now we are godfathers: he married me, and I baptized his son Viktor. I will also be the godfather of the son he welcomed a few days ago. I must say our friendship exists without any business interests. I’ve never hidden it.”

In a related incident, the Montenegrin police recently confiscated an armored car owned by Peković’s associate, Boris Dragaš. The authorities stated that the seizure was part of enhanced operations from the Regional Security Center “Sever,” which involved monitoring individuals of operational interest. During these activities, a machine gun, a motorcycle, narcotics, and arrests of two individuals were also made.

As the legal and social repercussions of the court’s decision unfold, both Şarić and Peković continue to capture attention within Serbian media, with discussions about Šarić’s ongoing case and his past connections becoming increasingly relevant.