The Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (ASK) has rejected claims that cases related to corruption at RTCG have "disappeared" or are being hidden in "drawers". ASK stressed that they have used all mechanisms at their disposal in these cases, and that all their decisions, including the case concerning the Public Service Broadcaster, are publicly announced, available and verifiable.
The Agency responded to yesterday's address by a group of employees at the Public Service Broadcasting Service who asked why suspicions of corruption at the Public Service Broadcasting Service were forgotten and what prompted them.
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"The Agency for the Prevention of Corruption strongly supports the right of media employees and all citizens to ask questions about the work of institutions, especially when it comes to accountability, integrity and legality. That is why we want to clearly, precisely and without any political connotations communicate all the facts regarding cases related to RTCG," the ASK statement said.
Regarding the RTCG case - the appointment of Boris Raonic, ASK announced that on March 1, 2024, it issued an opinion in the proceedings initiated ex officio, which was publicly announced.
"The opinion determined that the appointment of General Director Boris Raonic jeopardized the public interest, which indicates the existence of corruption, because, based on the submitted data, he did not meet all the prescribed conditions for performing this function. The ASK recommendation determined that the RTCG Council was obliged to take action to eliminate irregularities," the Agency points out.
Speaking about acting on the recommendation, RTCG submitted a statement on the ASK opinion on April 5, 2024, but it is indisputable from their letter that the ASK recommendation has not been fulfilled, the Agency's statement states.
"KAS, in accordance with the law, has taken all further steps within its jurisdiction:
- On April 12, 2024, a public announcement was made regarding this case.
- On the same day, ASK submitted a notification to the Parliament of Montenegro.
- The complete documentation was submitted to the Special State Prosecutor's Office on April 12, 2024, for assessment of the existence of a criminal offense. To date, no feedback has been received from the SDT.
- The initiative with the case files was also submitted to the Inspection Affairs Directorate, which announced on May 9, 2024, that court proceedings were already underway in the same administrative matter, and, in accordance with the law, it was not possible to conduct parallel proceedings.
"So, in this case, ASK has used all the mechanisms at its disposal," ASK said.
The Agency recalled that on April 12, 2024, RTCG submitted a report on the implementation of the integrity plan for 2023 via the application.
"Although a printed version was not submitted, the electronic version was submitted within the legally prescribed deadline, and there was no legal basis for initiating misdemeanor proceedings, either against the authority or the responsible person," the statement explains.
"The agency firmly rejects claims that cases have 'disappeared' or that findings are hidden in 'drawers'. We are determined, and our results clearly demonstrate this, that every case receives an institutional response, lawfully and without exceptions. All ASK decisions, including the RTCG case, are publicly announced, accessible and verifiable," ASK added.
They announced that after the completion of procedures that are under the jurisdiction of other institutions, they will act on their outcomes, as well as on any new report or information that indicates a risk of corruption in RTCG or any other institution.
"The Agency remains open to all relevant information from RTCG employees, as well as for dialogue on improving the integrity of the Public Service. In cases related to RTCG, the Agency acted: lawfully, transparently, proactively, to the full extent of its competences. The public interest will be protected only if all competent institutions, including RTCG, the RTCG Council and other competent institutions implement what is within their competence. We hereby emphasize once again that public officials and government bodies are obliged to respect the principles of openness and to transparently present their assets and their work. ASK will continue to do its job, impartially, transparently and responsibly, regardless of any pressures," the statement concludes.
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