Radulović filed a supplement to a criminal complaint against Zdenka Popović, Katić, Čedomir Popović and Minić over the devastation of the coastline in Baošići

Attorney Veselin Radulović has submitted to the Special State Prosecutor’s Office a supplement to a criminal complaint against the political party Democratic Montenegro, the President of the Municipality of Herceg Novi Stevan Katić, Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Democrats official Zdenka Popović, „Carine“ owner Čedomir Popović, and former acting Chief State Architect Siniša Minić, on suspicion that they committed multiple criminal offenses in the case of the devastation of the coastal area in Baošići. According to attorney Radulović, several as-yet unidentified officials of the Municipality of Herceg Novi, as well as multiple officials and employees of the executive branch, also took part in the illegal activities.

In the complaint, Radulović states that there are reasonable grounds to suspect them of committing the criminal offenses of forming a criminal organization, prolonged abuse of official position, abuse of office through incitement and aiding, as well as environmental pollution in conjunction with the destruction and damage of a protected natural asset.

POLITICAL INFLUENCE

- The political party Democratic Montenegro had the role and task of concealing abuses by members of the criminal organization and, through its influence over the executive branch, creating conditions for and encouraging the commission of criminal offenses that resulted in financial gain at the expense of the state budget and the environment. Through its officials and members, it led to the devastation of the area in the Baošići zone and other locations within the Municipality of Herceg Novi - the complaint states.

The role of Katić in the alleged criminal organization was, as reasonably suspected, to refrain from taking environmental protection measures. According to the complaint, he failed to supervise the work of the competent services and inspections.

There are also reasonable grounds to suspect that Zdenka Popović used her institutional and political influence, particularly over inspection services, to prevent the enforcement of the law.

- Čedomir Popović had the role and task of using his social influence to participate in coordinating the activities of members of the criminal organization within the Municipality of Herceg Novi. He incited officials and responsible persons in local self-government bodies and other competent institutions not to undertake legally prescribed environmental protection measures, influenced the adoption and implementation of decisions enabling or concealing spatial devastation, environmental pollution and damage, and potentially the destruction of protected natural assets - the complaint states.

Siniša Minić, it is reasonably suspected, implemented decisions contrary to the law and public interest, failed to take environmental protection measures, concealed irregularities, and enabled subsequent legalization.

Radulović recalls that in earlier criminal complaints and supplements he had pointed out the existence of organized structures operating through state institutions with the aim of gaining financial and political benefit.

PRESSURE

He warns that, based on available information, there is reasonable suspicion that the area and environment in Herceg Novi have been seriously devastated.

Public statements by Zdenka Popović, in his opinion, indicate political pressure on competent authorities not to act in accordance with the law.

According to Radulović’s allegations, it is clear that roles within the criminal organization were divided, with the goal of obtaining financial gain.

- By committing criminal offenses, the reported individuals effectively enabled the completion of major construction works on a hotel in Baošići, even though the Urban and Construction Inspection had already issued decisions in October 2024 banning construction on several plots where the hotel structures are located - the complaint states.

He notes that the Directorate for Inspection Supervision, after identifying irregularities in the construction of the „Carine“ hotel in Baošići, issued decisions banning construction for both phases of the project.

Following the inspection report, the investor „Carine“ LLC from Podgorica was prohibited from continuing the works. According to Radulović, the investor subsequently amended the documentation several times, first in November 2024 and then again in March 2026.

Radulović points out that inspections determined the irregularities had not been fully remedied, which is why the construction ban remains in force. On March 20, 2026, the urban inspection carried out supervision, enforced the ban in accordance with issued decisions, and closed the construction site.

In the supplement to the complaint, Radulović lists the evidence that should be examined, including a transcript of the parliamentary debate from February 26, when Zdenka Popović verbally attacked inspectors from the Directorate and told them from the parliamentary podium „not to inspect buildings that are in the final phase of construction and have a building permit, and not to threaten the owners of those buildings with decisions to halt construction“.

Radulović has filed two criminal complaints and five supplements against the Democrats and their officials over multiple criminal offenses. The first criminal complaint was filed on August 25 last year, but the Special State Prosecutor’s Office has not yet issued a response.