The Secretary for Urbanism and Construction Inspection of the Municipality of Herceg Novi, Vladislav Velaš, and businessman Čedomir Čedo Popović have been arrested due to illegal construction in Baošići, Montenegrin Vijesti reports.
The Police Directorate announced that Č.P. from Podgorica, founder and executive director of the company “Carine” LLC Podgorica, was arrested on suspicion that, as a responsible person, he committed the criminal offense of constructing a facility without registration and construction documentation, as well as V.V., secretary of the Secretariat for Urbanism and Construction Inspection, on suspicion of committing the criminal offense of abuse of office.]
The criminal complaint also includes the legal entity “Carine” LLC Podgorica.
“It is suspected that Č.P., in the capacity of investor, initiated and carried out works on the construction of tourist complexes and hotels in Kumbor, Đenovići and Baošići, as well as works on the arrangement of bathing areas, without meeting legal requirements, contrary to issued decisions banning construction and without prescribed technical documentation. It was also established that on several structures in rough construction works, the permitted dimensions and number of floors were exceeded,” the statement said.
During an inspection carried out on March 20, 2026, it was established that multiple structures in rough construction had been built at the locations in question, and that, despite imposed bans, the works continued.
“It is suspected that Č.P., contrary to the Law on Spatial Planning and Construction of Facilities, began the construction of the first and second phases of a tourist resort – a five-star hotel on cadastral plots in Kumbor and Đenovići, as well as the construction of facilities in Baošići, although legal requirements were not met for these works, and that he continued the works even after the issuance of a decision banning construction,” the statement said.
During the inspection, it was established that the investor “Carine” LLC and the contractor “Piles Construction Company” LLC built seven structures in rough construction within three zones of the tourist complex, with several buildings exceeding the permitted number of floors and levels.
It was also established that the reported Č.P., in the capacity of a responsible person, initiated the second phase of construction of the tourist resort – a five-star hotel, by carrying out preparatory works, although legal requirements for the same were not met.
Č.P. is also charged with carrying out works on the arrangement of the bathing area in Baošići contrary to the decision of the competent authority for the protection of cultural property, which ordered the suspension of works until the preparation of a conservation project and obtaining the necessary documentation and approvals, the statement adds.
Field inspections determined that the works continued, including coastal filling, reinforcement, concreting and other construction interventions, which led to the occupation of part of the waters of the Bay of Kotor and disruption of the natural environment, in an area that is part of the protected zone of the natural and cultural-historical area of Kotor, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
In this operation, V.V. was also arrested, against whom a criminal complaint was filed on suspicion that, in the capacity of an official – secretary of the Secretariat for Urbanism and Construction Inspection of the Municipality of Herceg Novi, by abusing his official position and exceeding his authority, issued a decision granting a construction permit for the arrangement of the bathing area in Baošići, within the scope of the Special Purpose Spatial Plan for the coastal area of Montenegro.
There is a well-founded suspicion that the said permit was issued unlawfully, as the legally prescribed conditions were not met, i.e. mandatory documentation was missing. In this way, it is suspected, he enabled the investor to gain unlawful financial benefit, to the detriment of public interest and the cultural heritage of Montenegro.
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Source: Euronews, Foto: Uprava policije Crne Gore