Montenegro issues international arrest warrant for Atlas Banka’s owner

By bne IntelliNews January 24, 2019

The Montenegrin office of Interpol has issued an international arrest warrant for Dusko Knezevic, the owner of troubled Atlas Banka, who refuses to return to the country and face a month of detention and charges of abuse of office, broadcaster RTCG reported on January 24.

Montenegro’s special prosecution has accused Knezevic of heading a criminal group that organised and executed the laundering of €500mn through Atlas Banka. Knezevic illegally received €1.9mn, prosecutors said.

According to information quoted by RTCG, Knezevic is currently in London and claims to have UK citizenship.

The businessman has accused President Milo Djukanovic of corruption and has claimed a warrant was issued for his arrest upon pressure from a clan related to the president. He claims that the president and his family are trying to take over his businesses and properties along Montenegro’s Adriatic coast.

Atlas Banka was put under temporary administration by the central bank in December along with Invest Banka Montenegro (IBM) as its audit showed that the capital of the two lenders did not comply with the minimum risk requirements. While IBM will go bankrupt, Atlas Banka decided to increase its capital and can be stabilised. The two banks are both owned by Knezevic’s Atlas Group.

Read in IntelliNews Pro
Get IntelliNews Pro

Related Articles

EIF signs guarantee agreements with 11 banks in Western Balkans, unlocking €750mn for small businesses

The European Investment Fund (EIF), part of the EIB Group, said on April 15 that it has signed guarantee agreements with 11 banks and financial intermediaries in the Western Balkans. These ... more

EIB surpasses investment milestone in the Western Balkans by investing €1.2bn in 2023

EIB Global, the financial arm of the European Investment Bank (EIB) for activities beyond the EU, set a new record by investing €1.2bn in the Western Balkans in 2023, the EIB said on February 9. ... ... more

bne IntelliNews Southeast Europe Outlook 2024

This Southeast Europe Outlook 2024 has been prepared by bne IntelliNews as part of a series of annual reviews providing updates on the geopolitical, macroeconomic and commercial state of ... more

Follow Us On

Most Read

  1. Iran vs Israel: Who is better equipped for war?
    6 days ago
  2. Saudi Arabia to scale back plans for Neom city
    10 days ago
  3. Oil continues to flow to Israel via Turkey despite Erdogan’s vehement speeches on plight of Gaza
    5 months ago
  4. BREAKING: Iraq, Syria and Jordan close airspace amid Iranian strike on Israel
    6 days ago
  5. Russia’s war economy boosted by rising oil prices
    4 days ago
  1. Russia could pay off its entire external debt tomorrow, in cash
    20 days ago
  2. Speculation swirls of “Men in Blue” in Crocus City Hall terrorist attack linked to FSB
    25 days ago
  3. Albanians campaign on social media to keep bus bridge created in freak accident
    1 year ago
  4. UBN: Russia could take the Baltic states in 48 hours
    30 days ago
  5. BRICS announce a blockchain-based payment system to create a common currency
    23 days ago

Reports

Dismiss