Radunović found in breach of Anti-Corruption Law: Proposed and voted for lease of premises in „Srpska Kuća“ where he holds an ownership stake

The Agency for the Prevention of Corruption has found that Montenegro's Minister of Spatial Planning, Urbanism and State Property, Slaven Radunović, violated the Law on the Prevention of Corruption by proposing and participating in the discussion and adoption of a government decision to lease office space from „Srpska Kuća“ Ltd. („Serbian hous“), a company in which he owns a 3.83% stake.

The Agency concluded that Radunović failed to recuse himself from the decision-making and voting process despite the existence of a risk of conflict of interest.

- It is established that the public official Slaven Radunović, while performing his duties as Minister of Spatial Planning, Urbanism and State Property, created a conflict of interest by participating in the proposal and adoption of the Information on the conclusion of a business premises lease agreement with „Srpska Kuća“ Ltd., Podgorica, of which he is a founder and shareholder holding a 3.83% ownership interest. He failed to refrain from taking action where there was a risk of a conflict of interest, thereby violating Article 9, paragraph 2, in conjunction with Article 10, paragraph 1, of the Law on the Prevention of Corruption - the decision published on the Agency's website states.

According to the Agency, the proceedings were initiated ex officio after it was established that, on 29 May 2025, the Government adopted an information note approving the lease of premises in „Srpska Kuća“ for use as conference facilities by the State Property Administration.

As stated in the decision, Radunović acknowledged in his written response that he owns a 3.83% stake in the company but argued that he has no material interest in its operations. He further stated that the company's founding act does not provide members with the right to share in profits, that ownership interests may be transferred only with the consent of the other members and without compensation, and that heirs are not entitled to inherit such ownership interests.

Radunović also argued that he could not recuse himself from proposing the item at the Government session because, as the minister responsible for the relevant portfolio, he could not request that another minister represent him. He further maintained that he did not believe it was necessary to seek an opinion from the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption because, in his view, he had no private interest in the matter. 

The Government's General Secretariat informed the Agency that none of the ministers present recused themselves during consideration of the agenda item. According to the decision, the official minutes of the Government session also confirmed that Radunović did not request to be excluded from the proceedings.

The Agency rejected Radunović's argument that he could not derive any personal financial benefit from the company's operations, holding that private interest is not limited to financial gain. Rather, the Agency found that it encompasses ownership interests as well as any other material or non-material interest of a public official or persons connected with that official.