The Police Directorate denied the claims of the president of the non-governmental organization (NGO) Montenegrin Cultural Network (CKM), Aleksandar Damjanovič, who announced earlier today that the Budva police illegally filmed him without his knowledge and prior notification while he was in the premises of the Budva Security Department (OB).
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We are reporting the Police Directorate's response in full:
"Regarding the claims made to the public by Aleksandar Damjanović, which relate to the alleged illegal use of video surveillance on the premises of the Budva Security Department, the Police Directorate informs the public of the following:
The video surveillance system in the premises of the Budva Security Department was installed for preventive reasons, in accordance with CPT standards, with the aim of improving the safety of citizens and police officers, as well as protecting the integrity of official premises, all in accordance with applicable legal regulations and recommendations of the Agency for Personal Data Protection and Free Access to Information. Accordingly, video surveillance covers only the premises provided for by law, including rooms for holding persons, common rooms within the facility (entrance, hall, corridors), as well as public areas - the area around the facility within the legally prescribed limits. A notice about the existence of video surveillance in the aforementioned areas is prominently displayed on the premises of the Security Department, in accordance with the regulations.
On this occasion, we would like to emphasize that the video surveillance system does not include the ability to record audio, so the claims about illegal sound recording on the premises of the Budva Security Department are incorrect and unfounded.
In relation to the event of 23.12.2024, when Aleksandar Damjanović was in the official premises of the Budva Security Department, in his capacity as a citizen, we emphasize that during his stay he was in the hallway, which is covered by video surveillance in accordance with the law, without the possibility of audio recording, as well as in an official room used by authorized persons to collect information, which is not covered by video surveillance.
Additionally, we emphasize that access to the recorded video material is only available to authorized officers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs - Department for Electronic Police Systems.
Accordingly, the Police Directorate emphasizes the importance of objectively reviewing the facts and the legal framework within which police officers act, in order to avoid possible inaccuracies in the interpretation of their work.
At the same time, on this occasion we call on the Agency for Personal Data Protection and Free Access to Information to act promptly and act upon the requests of the Police Directorate, to remove the surveillance cameras of natural persons who, contrary to the Law, record public areas in Cetinje, in the Belveder settlement, in Kotor, as well as in Bar at several locations. Certain categories of persons, including persons of operational interest and members of organized criminal groups, illegally record public areas, monitor the activities of local services and law enforcement agencies, implementing counter-surveillance measures, record citizens without authorization and violate human rights, about which the Agency has been informed several times by the Police Directorate in official letters with the aim of taking measures and actions within their jurisdiction," the response states.
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