Candidates for the position of director of the state-owned company "Montenegrin Electricity Market Operator" (COTEE), Jelena Marković, Mladen Bojanić and Adis Balota, stated in a letter to the Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Montenegro, Johan Sattler, that the Government of Montenegro is acting ignorantly when it comes to preventing corruption.
"Dear Excellency,
"We are writing to you to inform you of the ignorant behavior of the Government of Montenegro regarding the prevention of corruption. The Government should be an institution that represents the first line of defense of justice and an uncompromising advocate of equal treatment for all citizens of Montenegro, that is, a leader in the prevention and condemnation of corruption. We do not hide our discomfort in addressing you publicly and directly, aware that presenting such qualifications does not paint a good picture of Montenegro," the letter from Marković, Bojanić and Balota to Satler states.
The letter states that on October 16 this year, the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (ASK) notified the Government and issued a public statement regarding the appointment of Mersudin Gredić as Executive Director of COTEE, a company 100 percent owned by the state of Montenegro, following a competition announced on June 18 this year.
"The ASK defined the appointment in question as 'endangering the public interest, which indicates the existence of corruption'. Article 2 of the Law on the Prevention of Corruption (Official Gazette of Montenegro, No. 54/2024) clearly defines this socially dangerous behavior: 'Corruption is any abuse of official, business, or social position or influence for the purpose of obtaining personal benefit or benefit for another'. Given the fact that the Board of Directors of COTEE DOO and, even more tragically, the Government of Montenegro, although we have witnessed countless times their declarative commitment to a strong, decisive and uncompromising fight against this scourge that destroys every society, are silent and do not undertake any activity to which they are obliged based on the ASK decision and in accordance with the Law on the Prevention of Corruption, we appreciate that a public address to you and the EU Embassy may influence this to change," Marković, Bojanić and Balota write in the letter.
It is added that the Government's continued silence is continuously sending a dangerous and unacceptable message to the public that corruption is not sanctioned if it is committed by members of the ruling majority.
"Proven illegalities and party employment, obvious discrimination of candidates and multiple serious accusations of mobbing are not sufficient reasons for the Government to react. The Government's Decision from the session of 25 July 2025 on granting consent to such a controversial appointment, as well as the extension of the mandate of the members of the Board of Directors of COTEE DOO, is of additional weight, so that any further delay in taking action to prevent corruption places the Government among the conscious accomplices in protecting offenders and concealing corruption," it is written in the letter sent to Satler by Marković, Bojanić and Balota.
Bojanić also published information about writing a letter to Satler on the social network X.
"Vijesti" reported on November 10 that the Government of Montenegro has not yet responded to ASK on whether and what actions it has taken regarding the situation at COTEE.
ASK previously informed the Government that the appointment of Mersudin Gredić jeopardized the public interest, and that the Board of Directors did not act on their recommendation and reconsider its decision.
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