Podgorica, (MINA) – Certain provisions of the laws on the National Security Agency (ANB) and Internal Affairs pose serious corruption and institutional risks, the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (ASK) has assessed, adding that one of the key concerns is the broad discretionary powers granted to managers.

According to the press release published on the ASK’s website, the Agency issued opinions on the Law on ANB and the Law on Internal Affairs, bearing in mind their significance for the domestic public, as well as the attention paid to those regulations by the European Commission.

In its opinion on the ANB Law, ASK stated that the civil sector’s objection that the law represents a “backward step” in terms of judicial oversight of the ANB is justified, as the new Law significantly expands the Agency’s operational powers.

It is stated that the previous law established a stricter model for prior judicial control of using surveillance measures, while the new one expands operational authorities for such activities, without proportionately strengthening independent judicial oversight.

The ASK’s opinion on the Law on Internal Affairs states that, based on the analysis of Article 30, which regulates the composition and appointment of the Ethics Committee, institutional corruption risks have been identified, primarily due to the fact that the minister would have a decisive role in appointing both president and all members of the Committee.

The ASK stated that certain aspects of the provisions regulating the recruitment criteria for police officers, including general, special and security requirements, could open up space for potential corruption.