The alleged manipulations regarding the sale of real estate, which was part of my husband's property, are completely incorrect and have no basis in facts or real circumstances, said Supreme Court President Valentina Pavličić tonight.
She was reacting to a statement by the non-governmental organization (NGO) Network for the Affirmation of the Non-Governmental Sector (MANS) regarding the arrest of former National Security Agency (ANB) agent and Police Administration official Duško Golubović. The statement states, among other things, that "one of the properties that the Golubović family purchased for cash in 2019 is a 46-square-meter apartment in a building next to the Podgorica temple". Duško Golubović's wife, Danijela, bought the property from the family of Valentina Pavličić, then the Representative of Montenegro before the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, and now the President of the Supreme Court".
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"In addition, the way in which this data was presented by the aforementioned NGO MANS indicates deliberate information spinning, with the aim of creating a distorted image of me and my family members in the public, especially considering that I currently hold the most responsible position in the judiciary," Pavličić pointed out in her reaction.
We are publishing the response of Pavličić, which was submitted by the Supreme Court, in its entirety:
"The manipulations presented regarding the sale of real estate, which was part of my husband's property, are completely incorrect and have no basis in facts or real circumstances. Additionally, the manner in which this data was presented by the aforementioned NGO MANS indicates deliberate spinning of information, with the aim of creating a distorted image of me and my family members in the public, especially considering that I currently hold the most responsible position in the judiciary.
It is particularly concerning that the publication was constructed in such a way that, by presenting selective data and omitting key facts, under the guise of research aimed at combating corruption, and by omitting key facts, even though they were previously known to the author of the statement, it clearly indicates malicious intent and an attempt to damage my personal, professional and family reputation. Bearing in mind that I perform the function of the President of the Supreme Court honorably, responsibly and transparently, in accordance with ethical principles, I am obliged to present the key facts to the public, in order to remove any possible dilemma in relation to a private-legal business of a member of my family, who disposed of his own property, of legal origin and which has no common points with my function.
Namely, in this specific case, the real estate - an apartment with an area of 46 m² - was obtained through a legal transaction during the sale of the aforementioned company, which was certified before the court, and there are no other hidden or simulated legal actions behind it, for which there is complete and proper documentation.
There is also evidence of the transfer of the said apartment to the ownership of my husband's father, and then to his sister. In this way, family and property relations have been legally resolved (the housing issue of my husband's sister, who resolves this issue by selling the apartment in question, since he inherited the entire property with the house, after the death of his mother, and without sharing it with his sister and brother) and there is all legally valid evidence for this, which has been duly presented to the competent state authorities. In this regard, I would like to point out that the disposal of the said immovable property is based on regulated family, property and inheritance relations within one family, which depends exclusively on the declarations of will and rights of those who dispose of that property, and which was carried out in the period between 10 and 15 years ago.
Regarding the origin of funds, I would like to once again refer to the good and objective practice of all research centers to inspect the balance sheets of the Montecco company with the revenues generated, taxes paid and other duties, annual profits and dividends after taxes paid, with the competent state, financial and tax authorities. The Montecco company has been owned by my husband for more than thirty years, with market operating conditions, it has been developing gradually (not ad hoc) using credit for the development of Green Field investments and during its three-decade existence it has not participated in any state privatization or in a business relationship that would have had a hint of corruption or any illegal business. In addition to the above, this company represents renowned global and European companies in its business and has established and developed new production activities, such as the production of craft beer, thus becoming one of the largest craft breweries in the Western Balkans, employing more than 150 people and, not least, for all that time period, it has been the subject of both domestic and foreign audits and all possible financial, legal and customs controls. All of the above facts indicate the existence of a solid legal and lawful basis for the financing of this transaction, as well as any other.
As for the registration of the property in question with the competent authorities, I refer to the decision from 2012/2013 of the then Commission for the Prevention of Conflict of Interest, which finally resolved the disputed issue and in that sense my statement was given to the Commission, which indicates that the property was not hidden, nor was there a need for it, but was reported to the Commission for the Prevention of Conflict of Interest, through an amendment to the Report on Income and Assets, when it was determined that the Real Estate Administration, ex officio, did not timely transfer ownership to the Cadastre. Additionally, I note that during the previous and current year, I have repeatedly reported complete reports on income and assets to the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption and that I will continue to do the same conscientiously and honestly in the future, without hiding any information about my assets or the assets of my family members.
All of the above facts are known to the NGO 'MANS' from previous communication on this issue, because I have recognized the importance and role of non-governmental organizations in a democratic society and their need to have access to all relevant information in their "watchdog" function, convinced that they will fundamentally respect European standards in their functioning, as they (rightly) expect from state institutions and public officials.
However, as before, I take this opportunity to reiterate to the interested non-governmental organization that, as President of the Supreme Court, I will also advocate positions that are principled, legally sound and evidence-based, in accordance with national and international standards, which positions are subject to change exclusively within the framework of professional debate and acceptance of reasoned arguments, and in no way due to any kind of media spin and pressure, which is clearly continuing towards members of my family and towards me.
I call on the public and the media to verify information from relevant and credible sources, and to refrain from spreading disinformation that damages the reputation and integrity of the highest judicial authorities.
At the same time, I reserve the right to legal protection from further untrue and harmful claims, because insinuations and manipulation of facts, in order to construct an affair involving members of my family, especially in the context of commenting on cases from the scope of criminal justice, are not in the public interest and tend to fulfill other goals and interests, rather than the rule of law and respect for human rights," Pavličić said.
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