# Montenegrin civic oversight and audit disputes

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/montenegrin-civic-oversight-and-audit-disputes
> Updated: 2026-09-21T07:45:40.000Z. Sources: 20. Developments: 2.

The Center for Civic Education (CGO) in Montenegro has intensified its calls for financial oversight and accountability. The organization recently submitted eight audit initiatives to the State Audit Institution (DRI), targeting various entities including the Ministry of Defense, the Parliament of Montenegro, the University of Montenegro, and the Public Service of Montenegro (RTCG). The CGO identified these institutions as high-risk due to large volumes of public funds or previous irregularities, stating that independent audits are necessary to address “systemic weaknesses” and ensure legal management of funds.

This push for transparency follows long-standing disputes regarding past financial mismanagement. Specifically, concerns have been raised regarding a 2021 State Audit Institution report involving nearly 220 million euros. That report identified irregularities such as undocumented transfers exceeding 6 million euros and unlawful planning involving over 19 million euros. 

Former Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Vesna Bratić has disputed these allegations, claiming that 80% of the disputed funds were salaries and that other issues were “merely technical.” Bratić has also accused the CGO of pressuring the prosecution.

## Claims

- Josipa Pleslić pleaded guilty to corruption charges in the ‘Sport i glazba’ affair. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- Josipa Pleslić was sentenced to one year and eight months in prison. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- Josipa Pleslić was ordered to pay a fine of 130,000 euros. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- The corruption involved manipulating state exams, agricultural subsidy fraud, and rigging land tenders. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- Josipa Pleslić reached a plea agreement with USKOK. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- Ružica Njavro was sentenced to one year and six months in prison, with six months to be served unconditionally. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Ružica Njavro was ordered to pay a fine of 40,000 euros. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Pleslić spent 124 days in investigative detention, which will be credited toward her sentence. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-21: Josipa Pleslić sentenced to prison in Croatian corruption affair

Former Croatian state secretary Josipa Pleslić was sentenced to 20 months in prison and fined 130,000 euros after pleading guilty to corruption involving state exams and agricultural subsidies.

17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vesna-brati-disputes-corruption-allegations-regarding-220-million-euro-audit

### 2026-09-16: Center for Civic Education requests audits of eight Montenegrin institutions

The Center for Civic Education has requested the State Audit Institution to conduct audits of eight Montenegrin entities, citing risks in transparency and public fund management.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/center-for-civic-education-requests-audits-of-eight-montenegrin-institutions

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Cite as: Montenegrin civic oversight and audit disputes. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/montenegrin-civic-oversight-and-audit-disputes