Ivica Janovic, the newly appointed acting head of Montenegro’s National Security Agency (ANB), is free from any conflicts of interest that could obstruct him from performing his duties, as confirmed by the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption in a statement to BIRN on Wednesday.

Janovic was appointed by Montenegro’s government during an electronic session late on December 12, following a proposal from Prime Minister Milojko Spajic, which came after the resignation of the former ANB director, Boris Milic.

However, the selection of Janovic, an entrepreneur with no background in security matters, has sparked significant criticism. Previously, he served as an officer with the Mediterranean Shipping Company, an Italian shipping firm, and has played roles in the tourism sector, according to reports in the media.

There are familial connections also worth noting: Janovic is the half-brother of Tonci Janovic, a member of the ruling Europe Now party, and his wife holds the position of chairperson on the management board of a state enterprise, Morsko Dobro. Reports suggest the Janovic family maintains close relationships with Branko Krvavac, the head of the prime minister’s office.

Under the Law on National Security, a member of a political party cannot be appointed as the ANB director, nor can they partake in political activities. Furthermore, it is the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption that assesses potential conflicts of interest among public officials as per Montenegrin law.

The agency clarified to BIRN that “the director cannot be affiliated with any political party or engage in political activity. Thus, the public roles held by individuals related to this official do not automatically indicate a violation of the law.”

It added, “If a public official takes part in discussions and decisions where they or a related individual has a personal stake, they must promptly withdraw from any action that may present a conflict of interest.”

Concerns over the legality of the appointment

This week, the opposition has called for a review of the legality surrounding Janovic’s appointment, urging the parliamentary Security Committee to convene and invite both Janovic and Spajic to clarify the situation.

President Jakov Milatovic’s office, who distanced himself from the Europe Now party earlier this year due to differences with Spajic, criticized the appointment, labeling it as a threat to national security.

The president’s office pointed to Janovic’s lack of security experience and alleged that his appointment stemmed solely from familial ties and political patronage.

In response, Spajic asserted that Janovic’s appointment was valid and emphasized his professional credentials relevant to the position, referencing his maritime experience as beneficial.

“Our maritime border has been a conduit for wrongdoing in Montenegro; a significant portion of drug trafficking occurs via ships. Criminal organizations have exploited the ports of Bar and Kotor for cocaine trafficking… Thus, someone with a background in this sector could significantly aid in understanding related risks,” Spajic informed TV Adria on December 13.

Following this, Milatovic’s team indicated to Vijesti that the president would request NATO, which Montenegro has been a member of since 2017, to investigate any potential breaches of security protocols regarding Janovic’s access to classified information.

In Brussels this week, Spajic countered by stating that Montenegro does not require scrutiny from NATO and questioned the nature of the inspections Milatovic has in mind.

During the government session, Janovic’s appointment was not endorsed by two ministers from the pro-Serbian Democratic People’s Party.

Janovic represents the fourth head of the security agency since the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) lost power in 2020 after three decades of governance.