Police: AZLP to remove all illegally installed cameras, we have repeatedly pointed out the case of Tamara Zvicer

The Police Directorate has publicly called on the Agency for Personal Data Protection and Free Access to Information (AZLP) to remove all illegally installed cameras, including those in the Kavač neighborhood, which, they claim, are owned by Tamara Zvicer, the wife of the alleged leader of the Kavač clan, Radoje Zvicer.

They also claim that since December 2023, they have repeatedly officially pointed out to the AZLP that Zvicer is illegally supervising Kavač.

"The Police Directorate calls on the Agency for Personal Data Protection and Free Access to Information (AZLP) to take measures, within its legally prescribed competences, throughout the territory of Montenegro - removing surveillance cameras that record public areas and thus additionally contribute to increasing collective security. We also remind you of the fact that a criminal offense can be committed both by doing and by failing to do, or by failing to perform an official action. At the same time, we believe that it is of crucial importance for the public interest that issues of personal data protection are viewed comprehensively and applied consistently and equally in all cases, and not selectively, including those that the Police Directorate has pointed out in the previous period," the UP announced.

They point out that the Kotor Security Department contacted the AZLP three times.

"In this regard, we emphasize that from 2023 to the present, on several occasions - more precisely on 25.12.2023., 10.03.2025. and 27.03.2026. - the Kotor Security Department has officially sent letters to the AZLP, pointing to a specific case of illegal video surveillance in the Kavač settlement, which was installed by a natural person TZ. The submitted addresses indicated in detail that the video surveillance in question, installed on a facility owned by the said person, functions in such a way that the cameras cover the area at an angle of 360 degrees, including public areas - specifically a public road that is registered in the cadastre as a public good, and thus indisputably violates the Law on Personal Data Protection. Despite clearly documented facts and pointing out violations of the law, the AZLP responded to the aforementioned addresses only once, on 17.04.2024., when it took the position that it is not competent to act in cases where a natural person "persons conduct video surveillance for their own needs, referring to other protection mechanisms, including the possibility of initiating a private lawsuit for the criminal offense of unauthorized photography and recording, despite the fact that it is clear that the Law on Personal Data Protection has been violated and the fact that the Agency is obliged to conduct surveillance in accordance with this Law, which is carried out by persons employed by the Agency and who are authorized to perform surveillance tasks," the statement reads.

The UP adds that, although these cases were documented in detail and submitted to the competent Agency for action, there was no adequate and continuous response within the framework of legally prescribed competencies.

"At the same time, we point out that in the majority of certain locations there are illegally installed video surveillance systems by natural persons, which the Police Administration has already informed the AZLP about through several initiatives. Therefore, we once again call on the AZLP to diligently approach these cases and take measures and actions within its jurisdiction in order to remove illegally installed video surveillance systems. We also remind you that failure to act in such cases may have security implications, given the possibility of misuse of such systems to conduct counter-surveillance over the activities of law enforcement agencies, which potentially jeopardizes the efficiency of their work. The Police Administration remains committed to the consistent application of the law and the protection of citizens' rights, and expects full cooperation from all competent institutions, including the AZLP, in order to ensure a lawful and efficient system of personal data protection," the UP said.