The civic movement URA plans to file criminal charges against Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and other unidentified individuals for signing a deal with the United Arab Emirates concerning tourism and real estate development.

This announcement was made during a press conference by URA leader Dritan Abazović, who emphasized that he would also pursue charges against others to identify those involved in drafting this document, which he claims undermines the Constitution.

“If the SDT fails to find elements in these 11 pages of explanations indicating that these individuals operated non-transparently and covertly to misuse their influence and position to secure this agreement, then the legal framework in Montenegro is fundamentally compromised,” stated Abazović. He warned that the agreement’s approval in Parliament could pave the way for future Governments to engage in “even more severe” actions.

He highlighted that this agreement suspends the Protocol to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms, as well as the Constitution, by allowing for the appropriation of citizen properties without clarifying public interest or specifying the project’s exact location.

Abazović noted that the Democratic Party of Socialists attempted a similar move in 2017 and 2018, but it did not succeed then.

“How can apartments for sale and condo hotels be deemed of public interest? It is clear that public investments should be focused on hospitals, universities, schools, and highways. Such actions can only be justified by a criminal government. These unidentified individuals include everyone in the government who supported this agreement, as well as those in the Legislative Committee. The Committee failed to acknowledge that the agreement suspends several laws in Montenegro, which they were obliged to do,” he remarked, adding that abuse of power occurred within the Committee.

Furthermore, Abazović claimed that the Stabilization and Association Agreement is also being violated, as competitive bypass procedures should only apply in exceptional circumstances and unforeseen events.

“Such situations should only involve cases of extreme urgency, such as an earthquake. What are we discussing here, handing over prime locations without a tender? What is the urgency? We have recently announced multiple tenders for conceptual designs for the highway because it serves the public interest. This is why they are reluctant to wait for the opinion of the European Commission,” explained Abazović.

He asserted that the agreements discriminate against domestic entrepreneurs and cause significant harm, questioning why the state is providing the necessary infrastructure. He pointed out that agricultural land in Donji Štoj remains undeveloped because the state failed to issue planning documents; otherwise, it would be filled with homes and villas…

“The state has prohibited their development and has not created plans — why? So that someone like Milojko Spajić, or a PES parliamentary group, or some DF and other factions can come and declare, ‘Everything you once had here, we’ve reserved for our own gain and for some outsiders who will come and take it from you. And if you are unhappy, take it to court,'” he remarked.

Abazović also noted that similar projects are underway in Luštica, where apartments and properties are being sold, and he is counting on the SDT to take this into account. He claims that no one has previously reached this level of non-transparency and urgency in the procedural approach, asserting that it should not matter whether the agreement is voted on in ten or fifteen days.

“I cannot fathom that amendments are being suggested to the signed agreement; it would imply that we were misleading the public. The agreement was meant to be ratified, but it cannot be altered afterwards,” he cautioned, pledging to defend Velika Plaža alongside the citizens if such changes were attempted, expressing his desire to prevent Ulcinj from becoming “like Gaza.”

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