Kljajević: If Dragojlović was arrested, investigate institutions connected to his involvement

If media reports about the arrest of the President of the Board of Directors of the Simo Milošević Institute, Predrag Dragojlović, turn out to be true, the public rightly expects not only a quick reaction from the competent authorities, but also a thorough review of all institutions in Montenegro that are connected to his many years of engagement, as well as an investigation of the top people of the former Investment and Development Fund, now the Development Bank (RB).

This was announced by Democratic People's Party MP Jelena Kljajević, saying that this is the moment when the Special State Prosecutor's Office (SDT) "must urgently enter" the RB and other institutions with which Dragojlović is connected and conduct a detailed insight into decisions, projects, credit arrangements, investments and "interconnections of all actors who in previous years exerted influence or had access to the state's financial flows."

"This is not just an individual case. This is a matter of trust in institutions and a message to citizens that the law is equal for everyone, both for those who present themselves as investors and reformers, and for those who enrich themselves at the expense of the budget under the pretext of development," the statement reads.

She said that state institutions must not allow Montenegro to "become a safe haven for illegal activities, financial abuses and hidden private interests". "Therefore, I expect the SDT to investigate, without delay and without exception, whether public funds of the Republic of Montenegro were used legally and whether there was any illegal financing or diversion of funds."

He says that citizens have the right to know who is managing their money and in whose interest. He emphasizes that the Development Bank is a pillar of the state's economic policy and therefore "must not be a place of non-transparency, hidden relationships and dubious business models."

"This is the moment to show that Montenegro is not a country where abuses are swept under the carpet, but a country that protects the public interest. I call on the SDT to take all measures, investigate the leaders of the RB, and the Government to provide full institutional support, because only in this way can we restore citizens' trust in the system. Montenegro deserves clean, transparent and responsible work of institutions. And as long as I am an MP, I will insist on this without compromise," the statement reads.