The Independent Trade Union of Airports of Montenegro has also reported that they filed a criminal complaint with the Special State Prosecutor’s Office, including all relevant evidence, concerning negligent conduct and significant risks to the safe operation of air traffic.

We are reproducing the entire text of the application:

To the Special State Prosecutor’s Office:

Subject: Criminal charges against Roko Tolić, Executive Director of the Airport of Montenegro, and Ivan Rakočević, Director of Tivat Airport

Dear Sir/Madam,

We are lodging a criminal complaint against Roko Tolić, Executive Director of Aerodrom Crne Gore, and Ivan Rakočević, Director of Tivat Airport, for abuse of their official positions, jeopardizing the safe operation of air traffic, negligent work in service, and related criminal offenses under the jurisdiction of the Special State Prosecutor’s Office.

Both Tolić and Rakočević have consistently misused their official roles, making decisions that violate the Air Traffic Act, the internal policies of Aerodromi Crne Gore, and international aviation safety standards. This has directly posed a significant threat to the safety of aircraft, passengers, crews, flight and airport personnel, airport infrastructure, and the entirety of Montenegro’s air traffic.

The actions of the accused fulfill the criteria for multiple criminal offenses as outlined in the Criminal Code of Montenegro:

1. Article 416 – Abuse of official position
2. Article 416a – Serious abuse of official position
3. Article 337 – Endangering public traffic in air traffic
4. Article 417 – Negligent work in service
5. Article 422 – Violation of official duty in business operations
6. Article 423 – Causing danger to public goods of special importance

The behavior of the accused represents a grave abuse of their official positions within an entity of national importance, putting not only the safety of air traffic at risk but also tarnishing Montenegro’s international reputation and obligations in civil aviation as a full member of global aviation organizations.

The immediate reason for this criminal complaint is the appointment of our colleague Ljubomir Jovanović as a shift manager in the reception and dispatch service, without any training, preparation, or licensing, violating international aviation safety norms. This act directly endangered the safety of aircraft, crews, passengers, airport staff, airport infrastructure, and the complete air traffic system in Montenegro. Jovanović informed Tolić and Rakočević, as well as the Civil Aviation Agency of Montenegro, about this situation, yet no legal action has been taken so far.

The Independent Trade Union of Airports of Montenegro supports the criminal prosecution of the named individuals as outlined in the complaint submitted by our colleague Ljubomir Jovanović on August 15, 2025. There are reasonable suspicions of corrupt motives behind the decision to appoint an unqualified individual, along with potential retaliation for the prior political actions of the reporting individual, a prominent member of the Independent Trade Union, who has diligently exposed and prosecuted ongoing illegal activities at the Airports of Montenegro.

The unlawful decisions made by the ACG management represent blatant revenge and retaliation, which the Independent Trade Union of Airports of Montenegro strongly condemns.

Additionally, we are aware that Jovanović’s case is not an isolated incident. Others, lacking the mandatory training required by the Air Transport Law and internal airport regulations—and without licenses for access to the restricted airport areas—are performing critical tasks essential for the safe operation of Tivat Airport, including managerial and passenger service roles.

One colleague who refused to operate a fire and rescue vehicle in the strictly controlled airport area, due to his lack of licensing for specialized vehicle operation, faced punishment for allegedly refusing work, when in fact he was acting responsibly to protect the lives of passengers, crew, airport personnel, parked aircraft, and airport infrastructure.

Irresponsibility, negligence, and unprofessionalism have reached the extent where the use of servicing stairs (aircraft servicing equipment) with faulty brakes is permitted at Tivat Airport!

Workers are compelled to work longer than legally allowed hours, without consent, due to poor organizational practices and insufficient preparations for the increased workload during the summer season, lacking proper work attire, equipment, and basic conditions for their work environment, including access to drinking water in areas where temperatures can rise above 50 degrees Celsius.

Following a meeting on July 4, 2025, with Tivat Airport employees, representatives from the Independent Trade Union of Airports of Montenegro sought an urgent meeting with Executive Director Roko Tolić to discuss numerous reported irregularities at Tivat Airport, but received no response. I will send you a follow-up email with the letter addressed to Tolić aimed at resolving the pressing issues, which appear to be of no concern to either the Executive Director or the Director of Tivat Airport.

We thus propose that the Special State Prosecutor’s Office:

– Initiate immediate investigative actions;
– Acquire complete documentation regarding the assignments of shift managers and check-in officers, including personnel records, director’s decisions, internal regulations, and license documentation;
– Interview all accountable individuals at Tivat Airport and the ACG Training Center;
– Investigate motives and potential corrupt activities;
– Following the investigation, file charges against the accused for the aforementioned offenses.

The complaint pertains to the misuse of position within a business entity of considerable significance to Montenegro (the airport serves as a strategic infrastructure and border crossing for the country).

The repercussions stemming from the actions of the accused may have international implications, jeopardizing Montenegro’s obligations and standing as a member of international aviation organizations, potentially leading to severe economic, safety, and security consequences, necessitating prompt and effective action from the SDT.