Montenegro sacked head of National Security Agency: possibly through exposed network of Russian intelligence associates
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The government of Montenegro yesterday at the online session, at the proposal of the prime minister in the technical mandate Dritan Abazovic, dismissed the director of the National Security Agency Sava Kentera by a majority vote, media reported.
Montenegro is shaken by an affair of cigarette smuggling and the expulsion of citizens suspected of working for Russian services.
Both of these cases are handled by the ANB in cooperation with the Special State Prosecutor’s Office (SDT). Kentera is considered a man close to NATO and the USA.
Abazovic said earlier today that he had “certain objections” to the work of the National Security Agency in connection with cigarette smuggling.
Kantera was appointed acting director of ANB on May 5th, following the dismissal of Dejan Vuksic, who then founded the Christian Democratic Party with the former prime minister. Both are close to the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC).
Former Director of the Montenegrin Revenue and Customs Administration Rade Milosevic resigned two days ago. He was previously questioned about cigarette smuggling and said he was not afraid of arrest and that he was the victim of an attempt to bring down Abazović.
As part of the investigation into the disappearance of a truck full of cigarettes intended for destruction, several administration officials have been detained.
After the ANB’s action on September 29, in cooperation with Montenegro’s international partners, and by order of the Special State Prosecutor’s Office (SDT), an investigation was launched against several people in Podgorica on suspicion of collaborating with the Russian secret service.
Then the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the National Security Agency denied the residence and prohibited the entry into Montenegro of 28 foreign citizens suspected of working for foreign services. Among them is the former ambassador of Serbia, Vladimir Božović.
On September 29, the official Podgorica denied the stay of six Russian diplomats from the Russian Embassy in Podgorica.
Moscow characterized that act as hostile and closed the Consular Department in Podgorica.