We investigated high level corruption and organized crime cases.
Main source of information for investigations were official documents obtained on the basis of extensive use of Freedom of Information Law2 Following our analyses of data available in registries of the EU countries and advocacy conducted for several months, the European Parliament recently adopted resolution. In this year, whistleblowers became more reliable and regular source, especially in area of spatial planning and construction and cadastre operations. In addition, we introduced many new tools for internet investigations and data analysis learned through trainings that were specially designed for our team.
However, one of the main tools for conducting investigations was made inaccessible by the Agency for Protection of Private Data that overnight decided to remove unique personal numbers (JMBG) of citizens and VAT numbers of companies from public registries of companies and cadastre. The Agency called upon EU standards when introducing this measure, saying that privacy of citizens must be protected.
Following our analyses of data available in registries of the EU countries and advocacy conducted for several months, the European Parliament recently adopted resolution calling the authorities to restore a high degree of transparency with regard to the relevant registries. We will continue to use strategic litigation and advocate for more transparency of public registries in 2014.
Despite of all obstacles, in this year we conducted many investigations of high level cases in various areas, including electoral process and management of public funds, energy, privatization, spatial development and public procurement. Some of these investigations are published and some are ongoing.
Foundation “Dusko Jovanovic”, established in honor of murdered Editor in Chief of Daily Dan, granted annual “Award for contribution to investigative journalism in Montenegro” to MANS Investigative Center.
Building on experience in investigating misuses of public funds for political purposes during Parliamentarian Elections in 2012, the Center carried out comprehensive investigation prior to Presidential Elections held in this year. On the basis of official documents we discovered that in months prior to the elections, expenditures for social welfare multiplied in all municipalities.
Real breakthrough happened when we obtained documents showing that prior to the elections, funds of local center for social welfare were distributed by ruling political party activists to hundreds of citizens. Equal amount was given to each citizen, who signed to confirm the transaction. Further investigation discovered that local center initially obtain those funds from the Ministry for Social Welfare. MANS submitted criminal appeal ands the prosecution initiated investigations, but only against a few individuals at lower levels.
The Center also revealed many other concrete cases showing that public institutions and companies are frequently using illegal short-term employment contracts to force the workers to vote for the ruling party in return for permanent employment. We revealed cases of possible election-related misuses of public funds through distribution of fees for redundant workers and pensioners, agricultural loans, settling unpaid electricity bills, social housing, etc.
Findings from these investigations backed up public concerns and conclusions of the “Recording” affair – that a complex organized scheme for electoral misuses is in place and that it is heavily used to influence the election results. Using information obtained through investigations, MANS submitted 11 criminal appeals to state prosecutor’s office, but responses are still lacking.
MANS investigated ratio behind solutions in new Energy Strategy for Montenegro and provided the government with concrete comments and suggestions for its improvement. We discovered that the Ministry of Economy severely violated procedure for policy development, as well as process of procurement of expert assistance, making the whole process less transparent and credible.
The Center also analyzed new investments into energy sector that are most probably to take place in 2014-2015. We developed separate studies on coal-fired thermo plant in Pljevlja and underwater connection cable for exporting electricity to Italy. In cooperation with NGO Green Home from Podgorica we analyzed economic, environmental and social impact of those investments.
We investigated illegal consumption of energy by the country largest consumer – the Aluminum Plant in Podgorica (KAP) that pushed the whole energy system in country to the very edge of sustainability. We revealed evidences showing that major government institutions were aware that the Plant was illegally consuming energy for several months, but they did nothing to stop and sanction such behavior.
We analyzed operations of the National Electricity Company (EPCG), discovering suspicious procurement contracts, unpaid taxes and poor financial management of the company. In 2013, MANS also participated in development of the regional report on the role of international financial institutions in development of energy picture in South East Europe.
