The Special State Prosecutor's Office (SDT) is investigating whether and how, without a competition for the distribution of funds from the budget reserve, from 2017 to 2020, more than 10 million euros withdrawn were transferred to the Women's Handball Club "Budućnost" and the basketball club "Budućnost". from the budget of the Ministry of Defense.
"A case has been established in the Special State Prosecutor's Office and the investigation is ongoing, and it is not possible to disclose more information and data in order to protect the interests of the proceedings," the SDT spokeswoman, special prosecutor, replied to "Vijesta" on May 15. Sanja Jovićević.
According to the documents submitted to "Vijesti", in that period more than ten million euros were transferred to the accounts of the handball and basketball club "Budućnost".
Allegedly, the money intended for the Ministry of Defense was transferred to the accounts of those clubs when he managed that government department Predrag Bošković.
He told "Vijesta" yesterday that he did everything according to the law and that he proudly points out everything he did for Montenegrin sports:
"And I'm sorry that I wasn't able to help even more," said Bošković to "Vijesta".
The money was transferred according to the Government's decision, in installments from 50 to 850 thousand euros.
During that period, a total of EUR 5,675.000 was transferred to the giro account of ŽRK "Budućnost", and EUR 4,5 million to the account of KK Budućnost.
According to the analytical card, which "Vijesti" has access to, 10 euros were transferred to the handball club on March 2017, 150.000, and 18 days later they had two transactions of 75.000 euros and one of 80.000 euros. For each, it is indicated "by the Government's conclusion".
On the same basis, 26 euros were transferred to them on May 515.000 of that year, and then on September 12, 400.000 euros, and on December 13, 2017, another 380.000 euros.
The following year, they were paid 450.000 euros twice and 400.000 euros once. The transactions were carried out in June, September and November.
During 2019, there were also several payments based on the Government's conclusion - 13 euros on February 400.000, then half a million euros on May 20, and the same amount on September 13, while 12 euros were transferred to them on November 600.000, and on December 24. another 200.000 euros.
A payment of 500.000 euros, made on February 14, 2020, was also recorded in the documents that "Vijesti" has access to.
According to the analytical card on which payments were made to the account of KK "Budućnost", which allegedly also transferred money intended for the Ministry of Defense, 2017 euros were transferred to them in July 100.000, and then 50 euros in September, and another 50.000 euros. on December 12 and towards the end of that month another 250.000 euros.
During 2018, money was transferred to them three times - on September 14, 850.000 euros. then another 750.000 euros on November 30 and another 550.000 euros in December.
The following year, "according to the Government's conclusion", the money was also transferred to them three times. First, half a million euros were transferred to them on April 22, then another 19 euros on July 600.000, and then the same amount on November 12, 2019.
In 2020, they had the payment on the same day as ŽRK "Budućnost" - February 14. 200.000 euros were transferred to them.
The MoD budget for 2017 was around 50 million euros, and a year later it was 53.803.559,17 euros.
At the same time when millions from the Ministry of Defense account were allegedly transferred to a handball and basketball club, that government department allocated 5.000 euros for the "implementation of numerous activities" aimed at bringing women closer to the Army and all the possibilities of service in the Army.
Application submitted
The Special State Prosecutor's Office, which he manages Vladimir Novović, due to the distribution of funds from the MoD budget, a criminal complaint was filed against Bošković yesterday.
"Predrag Bošković is in the period 2017-2020. year, the funds of the Ministry of Defense, planned in the annual budget, through the budget reserve, outside the scope of its powers and the scope of work of the Ministry of Defense, continuously, with a full degree of awareness and will, with an assistant from the Ministry of Finance and other persons, diverted to the giro account of two sports organizations: ŽRK 'Budućnost' and KK 'Budućnost'. This process was carried out with direct intent, causing great damage to the state of Montenegro, i.e. the budget in an extended period. The value of the damage is over 10 million euros. During the period in question, Predrag Bošković, then Minister of Defense, was a member of the governing body, i.e. president of the Board of Directors of ŽRK 'Budućnost', since 2006", writes in the application, the applicant of which is the current acting director of the Directorate for Sports and Youth Marko Begović.
Begović, in the application that "Vijesti" had access to, explains that the Law on Sports clearly foresees the method of financing needs in the field of sports:
"Well, the mentioned mechanism is also a gross violation of regulations in the field of sports. Also, it is unknown for what purpose the funds were allocated, so there is an open suspicion that the funds through non-profit organizations ended up in the accounts of private individuals, and not for sports activities as prescribed by the Law on Sports".
He also submitted evidence to the SDT, and suggested that they interrogate Bošković, the leaders of ŽRK "Budućnost" and KK "Budućnost" for the period 2016-2020, as well as to conduct an expert examination by an economic and financial expert on the listed circumstances.
"I suggest that in the previous procedure, the mentioned persons and others who are related to them be heard on the same occasion, and that, after collecting the information and the necessary material evidence, the procedure be carried out in accordance with the competences of the Special State Prosecutor's Office, because these are public figures and officials, so these allegations are therefore more serious, because their work should create the common good, and not harm the citizens of Montenegro and the state budget", Begović wrote in the application and proposed that the SDT initiate criminal proceedings, order detention of the defendants and charge them with criminal offenses in the incident - abuse of official authority, embezzlement and negligent work in the service.
Bošković: Begović hides behind the report in vain
"I was happy with the news about the filed criminal complaint. I really believe that it is time to finally clarify some things institutionally, and not through the media, as individuals from the previous government used to do, trying to gain influence in relation to my political activities. Of course, to no avail. Therefore, I can't wait for the eventual call of the prosecutor, because I proudly point out everything I did for Montenegrin sports and I'm sorry that I didn't have the opportunity to help even more. Of course, during my entire career, everything I did, I did in accordance with the law, respecting the procedures, and the eventual proceedings will unequivocally show that.
As for the applicant, Begović, who was dismissed today: I can say that even this criminal complaint cannot hide all the wrongdoings he did towards Crmogorsk sports, which will certainly be the subject of attention in the coming period," Bošković said yesterday.
Bonus video:
