Podgorica, (MINA) - Herceg Novi police arrested on Monday executive director of the company “Carine” Cedomir Popovic and secretary for urban planning and construction inspection of the Municipality of Herceg Novi Vladislav Velas over illegal construction in Baosici and abuse of office.

According to the press release from the Police Administration, as part of the coordinated operation aimed at detecting illegal construction, environmental violations and preservation of cultural heritage, four criminal charges were filed against natural and legal persons suspected of committing a total of six criminal offenses.

“C.P. from Podgorica, founder and executive director of the company “Carine” was arrested on suspicion committing a criminal offense of building facilities without construction documentation, while V.V., secretary of the Secretariat for Urban Planning and Construction Inspection, on suspicion of committing the criminal offense of abuse of office”, the police states.

The Police Administration said that Popovic is suspected of having, as an investor, carried out construction of tourist complexes and hotels in Kumbor, Djenovici and Baosici, as well as the arrangement of swimming pools, without meeting the legal requirements, contrary to the issued construction prohibition orders and without the required technical documentation.

They stated that inspections on the ground revealed that the works have continued, including embankment, reinforcement, concreting and other construction operations.

“This resulted in the occupation of part of the water area of ​​the Bay of Kotor and the destruction of the natural environment, in an area that is part of the protected zone of the Natural and Cultural-Historical Area of ​​Kotor, registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List”, says the press release.

The Police Administration stated that Velas was also arrested, against whom a criminal complaint was filed due to the suspicion as the secretary of the Secretariat for Urban Planning and Construction Inspection of the Municipality of Herceg Novi, by abusing his official position and exceeding his authority, he issued a construction permit for a swimming pool in Baosici.

They explained that Velas, by doing so, enabled the investor to obtain illegal property benefits, to the detriment of the public interest and the cultural heritage of Montenegro.