Branimir Gvozdenović violated corruption laws, Montenegro agency rules

The Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (ASK) has determined that former Minister of Urban Planning and Environmental Protection, Branimir Gvozdenović, violated laws regarding the prevention of conflicts of interest. The decision follows a legal process involving rulings from the Administrative Court of Montenegro.

According to the agency, Gvozdenović accepted paid airfare and hotel accommodations at the ‘One&Only Royal Mirage’ in Dubai for himself and his wife in March 2010. The costs were covered by businessman Duško Knežević on behalf of the Atlas Group. The agency concluded that Gvozdenović failed to refuse the gift or submit a written report regarding the offer to the relevant authority.

Gvozdenović had previously argued that the trip was a private social gathering organized by the Knežević family and did not constitute a gift under the law. However, the ASK ruled that, as a public official, he accepted benefits that violated conflict of interest regulations. The investigation was originally prompted by an initiative from the Network for the Affirmation of the NGO Sector (MANS).