President of the Municipality of Budva Nikola Jovanovic (“Budva our city”) reacted to the article “They gave Jovanović 1.000 euros, but they cooperated with the municipality”, published yesterday in newspapers and on the “Vijesti” portal.
The editorial board cited the decision of the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (ASK) in the text, which determined that the company "Mediterranean Express" from Budva, which transports passengers, violated the regulation on party financing because in 2024, during the election campaign in that city, it paid 1.000 euros to Jovanović's list, while it had a contract with the Budva municipality.
We are reporting Jovanović's reaction in full:
"Regarding the allegations that have emerged in the public, which relate to the decision of the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption regarding the payment of the business company 'Mediterranean Express' to the political entity 'Budva our city - Nikola Jovanović', we are obliged to react decisively in order to truthfully inform the public and prevent the further spread of incomplete and misinterpreted information.
The funds in the total amount of 1.000 euros, which were paid to the aforementioned political entity during the 2024 election campaign, were not retained, nor were they used for any purpose, but were returned in full and without delay to the payer immediately upon noticing that there were legal restrictions on accepting such a payment.
Therefore, there was no financial benefit, nor could the disputed amount in any way influence the electoral process, which some in the public are tendentiously trying to present differently.
The political entity acted responsibly, conscientiously and transparently, exactly as the law requires. The funds were returned in order to eliminate any possible dilemma regarding the application of Article 33, paragraph 5 of the Law on Financing of Political Entities and Election Campaigns.
We particularly emphasize that the funds in question did not represent campaign income, were not recorded as available funds, nor were they used to finance any activity. The return was made immediately, in good faith and in the spirit of full legality, and any other interpretation represents a gross distortion of the facts.
For the sake of complete transparency and so that the public can have insight into the actual factual situation, we are attaching to this announcement proof, namely a photo of the order for the refund of the donation, which clearly confirms that the funds have been returned to the payer.
We consider unacceptable attempts to use an administrative situation in which no damage or illegal benefit has occurred for political discrediting and creating the appearance of illegal activity. Such attempts will not change the facts, and the fact is only one - the money was returned and was not used.
We remain fully open to cooperation with the relevant institutions and the public, convinced that the political process must be guided by the truth, not insinuations."
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