Government to Reassess Abazović’s Controversial Honorary Citizenship Award to Ramaj
The Europe Now Movement (PES) has urged the Government of Montenegro to reassess its “controversial decision” to bestow honorary citizenship upon Kosovo businessman Naser Ramaj.
Led by Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, the PES noted that Ramaj’s honorary citizenship was granted during the administration of Dritan Abazović, the leader of the Civic Movement URA.
“Following the confirmation of the indictment against Naser Ramaj, who received honorary citizenship from the Abazović-led government, PES believes it is essential for the government to revisit this contentious decision. The Basic Court in Kotor has confirmed an indictment against Ramaj for tax and contribution evasion amounting to 2,235,000 euros. Given the potential damage to the reputation of the institution granting Montenegrin citizenship and the pressing need to maintain public trust in state decisions, we advocate for an urgent examination of the circumstances surrounding Ramaj’s citizenship approval,” the PES statement read.
The party further called on “the relevant institutions to investigate any possible procedural shortcomings in accordance with the law, and if irregularities are found, to take necessary measures to safeguard the interests of the state of Montenegro from any decisions that might compromise them by the Abazović Government.”
The Basic Court in Kotor confirmed the indictment for tax evasion exceeding two million euros against “Alart Centar Budva – CG” and its responsible parties, Naser Ramaj and Valentina Grubović, as announced by the Basic State Prosecutor’s Office (ODT) in Kotor on April 25th.
In August of last year, Ulcinj police arrested Ramaj, a businessman from Kosovo, on suspicion of tax evasion, allegedly causing over two million euros in damage to the state.
Following his arrest, Ramaj was restricted from leaving his residence and temporarily had his passport taken away.
These surveillance measures were mandated by Špiro Pavicevic, the investigative judge of the Basic Court in Kotor.
Ramaj had previously stated that he was “in love with Montenegro.”
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