Kristina Braletić elected as new director of ASK

The new director of the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (ASK) is Kristina Braletić, who was elected today with four votes from the Council members, while member Slavica Mirković was against her election.

The other candidates did not receive the necessary support.

Mirković voted for the election of the current acting director of ASK, Dušan Drakić, while the other four members abstained.

Candidate Nina Radulović received three votes, Council President Pavle Ćupić abstained, and Mirković voted against.

Drakić's acting position is terminated by force of law.

Flow of discussion

The continuation of the session of the Council of the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (ASK) and the interview with the current acting director Dušan Drakić were marked by a heated argument between him and Council member Aleksandra Vukašinović.

Drakić and Vukašinović exchanged several accusations, and there were also ironic remarks and mutual disputes.

In the introductory part of his presentation, Drakić said that, if he were to receive the trust, his priorities would be the continuation of reform processes, institutional stability, and strengthening trust in the work of the Agency.

"I will stick to what I believe in, which is professionalism," said Drakić.

When asked by Council member Dragana Šuković about mechanisms for continuing the implementation of the international agreement relating to the verification of assets of officials abroad, Drakić responded that the area is still at a level that requires further improvement, especially through linking databases and strengthening institutional cooperation.

He said that the Agency is working on a registry of politically exposed persons, as well as a portal through which citizens could monitor the status of reports against officials.

He added that he expects the adoption of a new law on preventing corruption in the next month or two.

This was followed by a discussion with Vukašinović, who said that she makes decisions exclusively in accordance with the law and raised a number of questions about corruption risks and legal norms.

"I hear from the media that you are challenging my vote against you, I only vote in accordance with the law," said Vukašinović.

She then asked what the biggest corruption risks were and which points from the preliminary list best detected those risks, as well as what the legal norm was and what it consisted of, adding that, if she received precise answers, she would "give her voice to the Montenegrin public."

Drakić responded that this is a function based on integrity and transparency, assessing that he does not see the issues in the context of the election of the director.

"I'm not on the exam to answer some questions. I wrote laws with my associates," said Drakić, adding that for him, responsibility for signed decisions and transparency of work are key.

Vukašinović responded that she gave him the opportunity to get her vote, but that she did not receive answers to the questions asked.

"I gave you a chance and that's why I can't vote for you. We'll see who is being pressured here," she said, adding that she suffers from various pressures every day.

The discussion became even more heated after Drakić asked for clarification of earlier allegations made in the media, to which Vukašinović responded with an ironic comment that "someone probably wrote to someone."

At one point, Drakić read an earlier statement from Vukašinović from today in which she stated that she never had any agreements or settlements with the candidates.

"Only we who were sitting here know what is true and what happened," said Drakić.

Slavica Mirković also joined the discussion, assessing that the public has the opportunity to see what is happening at the session.

"The entire Montenegrin public has the opportunity to see what is happening here, this is shameful and miserable," said Mirković.

This was followed by a reaction from the President of the Council, Pavle Ćupić, who at that moment interrupted the presentation and requested a break, explaining that qualifications were being used in the discussion that were not in accordance with the rules of procedure and that the atmosphere of the session had further escalated.

In an unofficial conversation, Mirković announced that she would submit a proposal for the dismissal of individual members of the Council.

She said that one member, as she claims, is in a "constant conflict of interest", adding that she is "the only one without interest".

During the session, Mirković asked Drakić if he wanted to state who, as she said, influenced him to withdraw from previous decisions and whether, as she stated, individuals had contacted him regarding the withdrawal of decisions and the "consolation prize".

Drakić responded that everything that is happening is an indicator of the situation in the previous two years and that, as he assessed, this has resulted in the loss of trust among citizens and international institutions in the work of the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption.

He added that he does not see the issue as a candidate issue, but as a model for managing the institution, stating that in most situations the witnesses were members of the Council, and that it was not up to him to speak about it.

He also said that more than 15 criminal charges had been filed against him, one of which, he said, came from a person connected to the Council.

During the discussion, Drakić began to answer a question from Council President Pavle Ćupić, but was interrupted by Council member Mladen Tomović. Drakić then said that "we are witnesses that no one wants me as a candidate and director."

Council member Aleksandra Vukašinović, responding to Mirković, said that if she is not a "key player for someone's clients", she should be dismissed.

She added, "As Apollo is to us, so is Olympus to us."

Mirković then asked who, as she put it, the "keyboard order takers" were, stating that the Parliament should dismiss the Council after, as she assessed, "today's disgrace."

Stanišić resigned due to violations in the area of ​​financing political entities.

Candidate for director of the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption, Vladimir Stanišić, withdrew his candidacy after stating during the session that he had subsequently had access to a court verdict relating to a violation of the Law on Financing of Political Entities and Election Campaigns.

Stanišić said that he had previously learned about the proceedings against him from the media, noting that no one had contacted or called him regarding the case.

"I learned from the media that some proceedings were being conducted against me and I would like to see it because no one ever invited me," he said, stating that it was a violation related to the financing of political parties and entities.

He asked if this represented an obstacle to his candidacy, to which the Council clarified that he met the formal requirements and that his candidacy was included on the list after its adoption.

During his presentation, Stanišić said that the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption must be "the central pillar of integrity in the state."

However, after being presented with a verdict that, as he stated, he had not previously seen, and which related to a violation in the area of ​​financing political entities, he decided to withdraw his candidacy.

He said that, as a future leader, he would have to enforce the law that he himself had broken, and that he believed that the "only moral decision" was to step down.

According to statements from the session, this is a case related to employment in a public institution immediately before the elections.

Radulović: Institutions in Montenegro are blocked, a different approach to work is needed

Nina Radulović, candidate for director of the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption, said that she has many years of diverse work experience and that she received her education at prestigious European universities.

"I am a doctor, I am a lawyer. I have many years of diverse work experience. It is clear from my title that I have dedicated myself to education at the most prestigious European universities," said Radulović.

She stated that she works on various procedures in legal practice and sees herself as an "outsider" in relation to the institutional system in Montenegro.

"As someone who works in the legal profession, I handle a variety of procedures. I'm an outsider to your system," she said.

She added that she had previously collaborated with the Government of Montenegro through consulting engagements, and that she had developed the work program from her own professional perspective.

Radulović assessed that institutions in Montenegro are blocked and that a different approach to work is needed.

"We have blockages in almost all institutions, which seems impossible for a country with a large number of educated people," she said.

She also stated that, as she claims, "top lawyers have retreated to the backstage due to the current political story," and that it is time for people outside the existing structures to contribute to the system.

"It's time for someone who doesn't belong to that system to enter the system and make a personal contribution and show how things can be done," she said.

She also criticized the functioning of institutions, stating that the system is outdated and burdened with wrong priorities.

"I don't like that we're doing everything the old-fashioned way and this institution needs a serious database," she said.

She also referred to the practice of misdemeanor courts, assessing that they are overloaded with "trivial cases" instead of dealing with substantive issues.

When asked by the President of the Council, Pavle Ćupić, how she would act in the event that she was conducting a case against someone she had previously represented, she replied that legal practice already implies such situations.

"We are already trained to handle these situations. It happened that I represented someone I had worked against before... I don't see a problem in that situation," she said.

Council member Aleksandra Vukašinović assessed that what sets Radulović apart is her education.

Council member Mladen Tomović asked whether there is systemic or decentralized corruption in Montenegro, to which the candidate replied that it is a "mixed model".

She added that she is not a supporter of the personification of institutions or overly broad discretionary powers, noting that "too much freedom can be abused."

She also stated that she would consider strengthening the role of the Agency in terms of more active action, including a broader analytical and investigative component, but that this is currently not possible due to the burden of misdemeanor cases.

When asked by Slavica Mirković about the recommendations she submitted, including documents from several organizations and institutions, as well as her public appearances and possible impact on the credibility of the Agency, Radulović replied that her references were not limited to the aforementioned documents.

"It is not true that my file only contains the recommendations you listed," she said.

She added that she does not question her own professional credibility, and that her public activity cannot be a reason for disqualification.

"My personal credibility cannot be questioned. It is true that I am active in the public and a multimedia artist," said Radulović.

She responded to the allegations about her private life by saying that these were unacceptable qualifications and that professional work could not be evaluated through such allegations.

Session resumed after a break due to a delivered letter

The session of the Council of the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption, at which the director of that institution will be elected, continued after it was previously interrupted because an urgent letter was submitted during the discussion regarding the alleged conflict of interest of Council member Aleksandra Vukašinović.

The session was otherwise marked by harsh accusations of conflicts of interest among Council members.

Continuing the session, Council President Pavle Ćupić said that the members had reviewed the letter and that "everyone has the right to take it into account when deciding on the director."

Council member Slavica Mirković then asked whether there had been any reports in the last 20 days, to which Ćupić replied that there had been one report against one participant in the proceedings, noting that it was his "oversight" to announce it while she was not present after the previous session.

Mirković then handed out statements to the members to sign stating that they were not in a conflict of interest. Ćupić refused to sign, saying that he "will not sign anything and claims in front of the entire Montenegrin public that he is not in a conflict of interest."

Her proposal to amend the agenda, in which she requested "the resolution of previous issues with the aim of complete legality", was not adopted. No one voted in favor of the proposal, while Pavle Ćupić, Mladen Tomović and Aleksandra Vukašinović abstained, and Dragana Šuković voted against.

The agenda was then adopted with four votes in favor and one abstention.

During the session, a request for the presence of the president of the union of employees at the Agency was also considered, which the Council rejected. Mirković assessed that such a decision was unacceptable, stating that "the union has the right to be respected and welcomed" and that this is an issue that directly concerns employees.

Ćupić responded that the Council does not prohibit anyone from attending, but that in this specific case it was decided that the union president would not attend the session.

A separate vote was held on that issue - Mirković was in favor, while four members abstained.

The ASK Council Union announced on social media that their president, Nevena Stevanović, was not allowed to attend the meeting, even though it was open to the public.

"Dear Council, the election of the director is what concerns us employees the most," the union's announcement stated.

At the beginning of the session, Mirković requested a change to the agenda, stating that she had received a report regarding Aleksandra Vukašinović.

"I received a report regarding a conflict of interest from Council member Aleksandra Vukašinović. I brought statements for all Council members to sign stating that they are not in a conflict of interest, because without that we cannot begin the session," said Mirković.

She also criticized the candidates' documentation.

"I looked at the documentation and this is a shame. We have untranslated recommendations, recommendations from individuals, work programs that are very frivolous, and we harassed Dušan Drakić to translate," she said.

Speaking about Vukašinović, Mirković stated that she did not remember the session at which her conflict of interest was decided, but that a report had been received in the meantime.

"Aleksandra Vukašinović's brother is employed at the Agency, as is Mladen Tomović's wife. Her brother was also in the previous management," she said, adding that she "dealt with blackmailing the director to keep her brother."

"It is hidden from the public eye that Boris Vukašinović, in agreement with Jelena Perović, ended his sick leave in order to come and support her if she returns," said Mirković.

She also referred to Tomović.

"Your wife works in a sector managed by one of the candidates, Kristina Braletić, so let the public decide whether that is a conflict of interest."

She added that, if the reports against Dušan Drakić are being discussed, all received reports should be considered.

To Ćupić's warning that the use of offensive expressions was not allowed, Mirković responded:

"Perhaps your intention is to provoke me, I did not utter any insults."

Vukašinović said that she had raised the issue of her conflict of interest even earlier.

"I raised the issue of my conflict of interest at the sixth Council meeting. Four members voted that there was no conflict of interest when it came to my decision-making," she said.

She added that she stands behind professional integrity, legality, and truth.

"What is stated in the initiative is not true. I do everything in accordance with the law," she said.

She also pointed out that the Council does not have jurisdiction over certain issues.

"The Council's jurisdiction is not to control conditions in the Agency. I have no influence on their rights and obligations."

She also said that suspicions must be supported by evidence:

"It is important that we present any suspicion with relevant evidence. No candidate has ever received a settlement offer from me and never will."

Council member Mladen Tomović said that he himself had a situation of potential conflict of interest.

"At the time we were appointing the acting attorney, I requested my own disqualification because I represented Dušan Drakić in active cases," he said.

He added that, after his election, all powers of attorney were canceled.

During the discussion, Ćupić also read the minutes from previous sessions, stating that Mirković voted then that Vukašinović and Tomović did not have a conflict of interest.

Previously, candidate Mithat Kuč withdrew his candidacy due to "lack of confidence in the process".

Braletić: I will not comment on anonymous reports, I have not filed any criminal charges against Vukašinović

Candidate for the director of ASK, Kristina Braletić, said that she has been with the institution since its founding, more than ten years, and that she currently serves as assistant to acting director Dušan Drakić.

She stated that she began her work engagement in the healthcare system, and that today, through many years of experience in the Agency, she recognizes both the strengths and weaknesses of its functioning.

"The goals are clear, to which every institution should strive, and my focus was on priorities, primarily on the path towards the European Union," said Braletić.

She emphasized that, in her opinion, a reorganization of employees is necessary, as well as additional work improvement, despite, as she stated, the good results from the previous period.

She reminded that Montenegro faces reporting obligations in June, stating that only four out of 22 GRECO recommendations have been implemented.

"That is the first obligation that awaits us in June," she said, adding that her focus would also be on harmonizing the Agency's own decisions.

She expressed her expectation that the criminal offense of illicit enrichment would be introduced, which, she stated, would enable the Agency to contribute to the fight against corruption at a higher level.

During the discussion, Council member Slavica Mirković made a series of criticisms of Braletić, stating that the election process "runs smoothly when someone wants to elect someone and give them the wind at their back."

Mirković questioned the recommendations submitted by the candidate, as well as her work plan, describing it as "short", with the expectation that it would be more detailed given her many years of experience at the Agency.

She also asked whether Braletić had filed reports against her then-supervisor Boris Vukašinović, and presented allegations from anonymous reports claiming that Braletić was politically connected and that she participated in decisions that resulted in certain employees losing their jobs.

Mirković also recalled that Braletić withdrew her candidacy in 2024, when Drakić was elected, stating that she "didn't want to carry the burden" at the time, while now, as she said, she wants a leadership position, claiming that she "is not a team player."

Among other things, she made claims that she received information from employees that Braletić rarely comes to work and is often on sick leave or traveling.

Braletić responded that she would not be interviewed if she did not meet the requirements, and that she would not consider anonymous applications.

"As for the anonymous reports, I will not address them," she said.

She stated that she withdrew her candidacy in 2024 because she had no affinity for the position, but that she has now applied out of a sense of professional responsibility.

"The fact is that a director has not yet been elected and I see this move as a professional responsibility towards the institution, with great support from the employees," said Braletić.

She denied that she filed a criminal complaint against Boris Vukašinović.

"I have not filed any criminal charges against Vukašinović. What I filed is not a criminal charge and is classified," she said.

She added that the subject of that submission is in the files of the Special State Prosecutor's Office, but that it is "of a completely different nature."

After the interview with Braletić, the Council took a break until 16 p.m., after which it will elect the director of the institution.