School account as a private ATM? They are investigating the controversial transactions of the school principal in Tuzi worth more than 17.000 euros

The Basic State Prosecutor's Office in Podgorica is investigating whether the principal of the "29. novembar" Elementary School in Tuzi Almir Lulanaj negligently disposed of the educational institution's money, after, according to unofficial information from "Vijesti", questionable payments, cash withdrawals, and unpaid obligations for which the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation had previously paid money were noticed in the school's financial documentation.

The Podgorica Prosecutor's Office officially confirmed to "Vijesti" that a case had been filed, while Lulanaj was not available for comment.

"We would like to inform you that the Basic State Prosecutor's Office in Podgorica has opened a case against the director of the '29. novembar' Primary School in Tuzi, AL, on suspicion of the criminal offense of negligent performance of duties. The case is currently under investigation," the editorial office of the institution he heads was told. Dusko Milanović.

According to unofficial information, prosecutors should verify allegations that Lulanaj withdrew more than 17.000 euros in cash from the school's bank account from 2023 to 2025, without proof that the money was spent for the intended purpose.

According to information from "Vijesti", the documentation was submitted to the prosecutor's office, as well as bank account statements for 2023, 2024 and 2025 and accompanying invoices, proving that there are irregularities that indicate possible misuse of budget funds.

The suspicions, among other things, relate to the fact that the money that the Ministry paid to the school for water, utilities, and electricity during 2023 was not spent for those purposes.

Allegedly, these amounts were not transferred to the accounts of local and state enterprises at all, which is why the debt appeared until the end of the year, and the payment was only made in 2024, after the director paid 2.500 euros into the school's account.

According to the same information, the bank statements stated the purpose of the payment as "on behalf of the Parents' Council", but Lulanaj allegedly could not substantiate this type of authorization with minutes from the Parents' Council meetings.

According to the editorial office, the prosecution should also check the beginning of 2024, when the amount was forcibly collected for obligations for which, as is suspected, the Ministry had previously transferred money to the school's account.

Among the irregularities that were submitted to the authorities is the allegation that a school employee was not paid assistance due to the death of a family member, although, according to information from "Vijesti", the education department paid funds to the school for that purpose at the end of 2024.

Also disputed are allegedly the monthly payments the Ministry made to the school, along with salaries, for the Education Union, the Union of Free Trade Unions, and the school's trade union organization. According to the editorial office, the trade union organization claims that the money did not reach it, which is why it has demanded payment of outstanding membership fees.

At the end of 2024, according to unofficial information, payments to a private company in the amount of almost 7.500 euros were recorded, for which there are allegedly no accompanying invoices.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation confirmed to "Vijesti" that they had controlled the school's financial operations and forwarded the case to the prosecutor's office.

"The Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation has formed a working group that has reviewed the entire financial operations of the aforementioned institution and, after conducting the procedure, has prepared a report on the control of operations in which all observed irregularities have been noted. The Ministry, taking measures and actions within its jurisdiction, has referred the case to the Basic State Prosecutor's Office in Podgorica for further action," the ministry announced.

The Ministry also stated that an inspection is underway at the school.

"Also, an inspection is underway at the aforementioned institution, and after the facts have been established and any measures proposed by the acting inspector, the Ministry will take action in accordance with the law," the Ministry responded.

Lulanaj did not respond to "Vijesti"'s questions about the actions of the prosecutor's office and the competent department.