Kuč announces lawsuit over Tomović’s vote for Braletić: Conflict of interest existed in the decision-making process for the Director of the APC
One of the candidates for the full-term position of Director of the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (APC), Mithat Kuč, will file a lawsuit challenging the decision to appoint Kristina Braletić as Director of this institution, claiming that there was a conflict of interest in the decision-making process, Portal ETV has learned unofficially.
The reason for the lawsuit is the fact that Mladen Tomović, a member of the Council of the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption and an attorney, voted in favor of Braletić’s appointment, which the plaintiff believes constituted a conflict of interest.
Tomović represented Braletić before the Administrative Court
Portal ETV previously reported that Tomović, who voted for Braletić’s appointment, had earlier represented her interests before the Administrative Court in proceedings initiated against a decision made by the APC itself.
Attorney Veselin Radulović stated at the time, before Braletić’s appointment, that he clearly recognized a conflict of interest and warned that Tomović’s vote could affect the legality of the Council’s decision.
- In my opinion, these circumstances impose an obligation on the Council member to recuse himself from the decision-making process regarding the appointment of the Director of the Agency, because otherwise his vote and participation in adopting the decision could seriously compromise the entire process and affect the legality of the Council’s decision - Radulović told Portal ETV at the time.
Tomović: I do not recognize any conflict of interest
However, Tomović claimed at the time that he did not recognize any conflict of interest or issue of impartiality.
In a statement to Portal ETV, he said that he had withdrawn his power of attorney in the proceedings in which he represented Braletić after becoming a member of the Council.
Drago Kos also reacted
Following the appointment of Kristina Braletić, independent anti-corruption expert and Slovenian specialist Drago Kos also spoke out.
- Although I have repeatedly stated that Mr. Mladen Tomović cannot be a member of the Council of the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption, I somehow continued cooperating with the APC until now. After yesterday’s Council session, I am absolutely giving up on that. What happened yesterday is the worst image the Council could present of itself - Kos said in a statement to Portal ETV.