Duško Knežević, once close to Montenegro’s former president Milo Đukanović, faces charges of fraud and money laundering.
Knežević’s Arrest and Allegations
Montenegro jailed Knežević, a dual British-Montenegrin national, after his extradition from the UK in April. Authorities accuse him of fraud, money laundering, and misuse of power in business operations. His assets have been seized, but Knežević denies all charges, calling them politically motivated.
Knežević’s British lawyer, Toby Cadman, claims the government pressures his client to provide evidence against Đukanović. Cadman believes Knežević is being used as a “pawn” in a campaign against Montenegro’s former president.
Tensions with Montenegro’s Government
Knežević and Đukanović were once allies, with Knežević supporting Đukanović’s rise to power in the 1990s. However, their relationship deteriorated, beginning with a dispute in 2014 over a hospital privatisation agreement. In 2019, Knežević released a video alleging corruption within Đukanović’s Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS).
The video, known as the “envelope scandal,” showed Knežević handing cash to the Podgorica mayor for a DPS campaign. This incident highlighted high-level corruption but was only symbolic, as corruption under Đukanović was already widely known.
Montenegrin authorities accuse Knežević of laundering €500 million through suspicious banking practices. Despite this, Cadman claims his client has evidence implicating Đukanović’s government in corruption.
Montenegro’s EU Membership Aspirations
Knežević’s case raises concerns about Montenegro’s judicial and political systems as the country seeks EU membership. Cadman criticises Montenegro’s lack of legal reform, which undermines fair trials and threatens EU accession efforts.
Montenegro applied for EU membership in 2008 and aims to join by 2028. However, ongoing corruption, weak governance, and judicial inefficiencies remain barriers. Experts argue that Montenegro must address systemic issues, including its culture of patronage and “envelope culture,” to advance its EU aspirations.
Although Đukanović is no longer in power, his legacy continues to influence Montenegro. Efforts to reform its judicial system and strengthen the rule of law remain critical for its future.