The Mountain Rescue Service did not in any way participate in setting up the base camp at Lokvice in Durmitor, nor does it have the need or intention to use the services of that camp as an institution.
This is what the head of the GSS said in response to Vijesti's questions Željko Loncović.
Previously, the executive director of the Non-Governmental Association Nature Lovers, Miljko Bulajic, he asked the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Defense to use helicopters to transport their equipment to the heart of Durmitor, mentioning the GSS in that act.
He wrote in that request that starting this winter season, they decided to set up a winter camp in Lokvice on Durmitor, which would consist of a series of tents for sleeping and living.
"The winter camp will also be used as a starting base when conducting rescue operations because of its position, but also because some members of the organization are members of the Mountain Rescue Service of Montenegro," Bulajić wrote, among other things, in the request.
Loncović, however, explains that the GSS has no intention or need to use it, adding that the rescue service was not even informed about setting up the camp.
"GSS has nothing to do with the organization, idea or plans for setting up the base camp on Durmitor, and it was not even informed about setting up the camp," Loncović said.
Although in both requests to the competent state authorities, nature lovers call for altruism, on social networks they clearly state the commercial use of the base with large tents for more than 10 people, stoves, sauna, solar panels...
After it was announced that the camp was set up illegally, without the consent of the public company that manages the protected area and the approval of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Basic State Prosecutor's Office in Pljevlja opened an investigation.
For now, they are investigating whether Bulajić, the executive director, under the guise of humanitarian activities and enthusiasm, benefited the private company Durmitor Base Camp.
The case was formed after it was disclosed that one military and one police helicopter each transferred equipment to a private person who illegally set up a glamorous base camp for mountaineers in the Durmitor National Park, but also after the public company that manages the protected areas stated that the private company Durmitor With its actions, Base Camp violated the laws and violated the principles of protection and ecological principles and the preservation of all values in that area, which is under the protection of the UNESCO office.
Was there a scam?
Last week, the news published a story about an illegal camp in the second protection zone of NP Durmitor and the possible misuse of state helicopters.
Referring to the official companies in Zabieja that manage the protected area, it was also announced that the private company Durmitor Base Camp ignored their warnings about the suspension of activities in the Lokvice area.
DON'T MISS IT
In response to Vijesta's questions about who authorized state helicopters to transport equipment to Katun Lokvice, the Ministry of Defense pointed out that the head of that department Dragan Krapović asked the authorities to investigate whether the executive director of the company allegedly behind the camp could be contacted, Dejan Lazarevic with the Chief of the General Staff of the Army of Montenegro, Brigadier General Zoran Lazarevic.
General Lazarevic in his reply to the News did not dispute that Dejan Lazarevic is his nephew, but claims that he received an inquiry from Minister Krapovic's office as to whether they could support the request of the NGO, and that they from the General Staff, "as the procedures dictate, after collecting information about what cargo and which quantity is in question, answered that we can support the request."
After that, Krapović said that the brigadier general participated in the fraud and that the fact that he is still in that position is a "disgrace and shame".
He also announced that "all collected data and evidence" will be handed over to the Police Directorate and the Prosecutor's Office to determine possible criminal liability.
Krapović also referred to the fact that the request for help to the ministries was sent by a non-governmental association, stressing that "the kind of man he is, is best told by the fact that he knew very well that it was not a non-governmental organization, but the commercial activity of his nephew's company, which she hid the request behind the NGO 'Ljubitelji prirode' from Nikšić".
"So, Brigadier General Lazarević, currently serving as Chief of the General Staff of the Army of Montenegro (not by my will and choice) participated in the fraud. And once again, just as he used a military transport to smuggle the motorcycle he bought for his son into Montenegro, so now he used a military helicopter, funds and personnel of the Air Force of the Croatian Republic of Croatia for the needs and benefit of his 'environmentalist' nephew. To conclude, the fact that a man of this profile is still in charge of the NGŠ VCG is a disgrace and a shame", stated Krapović earlier...
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