Prime Minister Milojko Spajić has requested that the Minister of Interior, Danilo Šaranović, promptly begin proceedings to revoke the Montenegrin citizenship of Kosovo businessman Naser Ramaj.

In a document obtained by “Vijesti”, Spajić indicated that he plans to review “honorary” citizenships in the near future.

Spajić asserts that Ramaj acquired Montenegrin citizenship through false representations, misleading the relevant authorities concerning his tax responsibilities, which he “consciously and deliberately attempted to evade.”

“As you know, Naser Ramaj, a businessman from Kosovo, was arrested in August 2024 on suspicions of tax and contribution evasion totaling over two million euros, adversely affecting Montenegro’s budget to this extent. He is a co-owner of the company DOO ‘Alart Centar Budva – CG’, which failed to report income from residential and commercial sales in the ‘Porto Budva’ complex in Budva. The Basic State Prosecutor’s Office in Kotor has charged Naser Ramaj with tax evasion and contributions totaling 2.235 million euros, a charge confirmed by the Basic Court in Kotor,” Spajić reminded Šaranović.

Ramaj was granted “honorary Montenegrin citizenship” on October 12 as an investor in the “Porto Budva” project, which is valued at approximately 80 million euros, as per Article 2023 of the Law on Montenegrin Citizenship. This approval was made under the premise that he had made a significant economic contribution to Montenegro—signed by Filip Adžić upon the recommendation of then-Prime Minister Dritan Abazović, “accompanied by a favorable note from the Ministry of Finance, without an analysis of his business dealings in Montenegro.”

Furthermore, Spajić expresses concern over “the fact that this department did not provide an analysis based on compliance with tax and customs regulations, which falls under its jurisdiction,” especially since the company owned and directed by Ramaj operates in Montenegro.

“According to Article 24, paragraph 1, item 2 of the Law on Montenegrin Citizenship (‘Official Gazette of Montenegro’, no. 13/2008, 40/2010, 28/2011, 46/2011, 20/2014 – decision of the Constitutional Court, 54/2016 and 73/2019), an adult Montenegrin citizen who also holds another citizenship can, by law, lose Montenegrin citizenship if it is determined that their admission was based on falsified statements or concealment of relevant facts unless it would leave them stateless or their actions significantly harm Montenegro’s vital interests,” the Prime Minister emphasized.

He conveyed “serious doubts” concerning the legality of Naser Ramaj’s honorary Montenegrin citizenship acquisition.

“I urge that, in line with Article 24 of the Law on Montenegrin Citizenship, the process to revoke Montenegrin citizenship be initiated urgently, as it was obtained through deceitful means regarding tax obligations that Ramaj intentionally tried to evade. I am concerned that the case of Naser Ramaj may jeopardize Montenegro’s vital interests on various levels, especially if it is confirmed that honorary citizenship was awarded without sufficient verification or based on incorrect information,” Spajić stated.

He noted that granting citizenship to someone under investigation for tax evasion and financial misconduct could harm Montenegro’s international reputation, particularly with partners from the European Union and other nations, “potentially impacting future investments and our negotiating leverage in European integration.”

“Should it be revealed that honorary citizenships were issued as ‘personal favors’ or without established criteria, it undermines citizens’ trust in the rule of law and opens avenues for clientelism and political corruption. Thus, in the coming days, I will initiate reviews of these ‘honorary’ citizenships as they have failed to contribute to economic development through innovation, job creation, or the promotion of Montenegro in diverse fields requiring citizens of special significance to Montenegro. Therefore, to uphold the integrity and citizens’ faith in institutional and governmental decisions, I am formally submitting a request for the urgent initiation of revoking Naser Ramaj’s Montenegrin citizenship, and I would appreciate being kept informed about the progress of this matter,” Spajić concluded.

News