The Agency for the Prevention of Corruption found on November 25 that former Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic has not declared part of his movable property – the collection of wristwatches he owns, worth around 200.000 euros.

As stated in the report, the Agency has analyzed photographs published by several Montenegrin media outlets, taken during various public appearances by Djukanovic over the years, while he was serving as president or prime minister of Montenegro.

The photographs also included wristwatches from seven brands, each of which, according to digital evidence experts, is estimated to cost between 8.000 and 59.000 euros.

Digital evidence and economic-financial experts analyzed photographs in which Djukanovic is holding the watches "Franck Muller", "Cartier Pasha", "Brequet Tourbilion", "Roger Dubuis Excalibur", "Rolex", "Patek Philippe" and "Cartier Moonphase".

"The agency, in the evidentiary procedure, has determined that the photographs showing former public official Milo Djukanovic with these watches on his hand are authentic and that they were not declared in any of the aforementioned income and asset reports as property in terms of movable property," the reasoning states.

In his 2021 response, Djukanovic stated that claims of "watches of staggering value are malicious sensationalism."

He also emphasized that he has never owned some of the watches, while he has owned the "Brequet Tourbilion" watch "since the '90s as a gift from a close person, before I took public office."

The agency stated in its decision that it did not accept Djukanovic's reasoning.

"The agency has not accepted the unconfirmed claim that one of the watches is a gift from an earlier period, as this has not been supported by any evidence, and according to digital evidence experts, such a watch model does not exist."

Milo Djukanovic has held the highest state positions in Montenegro since the early 90s.

His party, the Democratic Party of Socialists, led all governments until 2020, when it lost power to a coalition consisting of the pro-Russian Democratic Front, the Democrats and the Ura Movement.

Djukanovic ended his presidential term in 2023, when he was defeated by the current president, Jakov Milatovic.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has sent a request to the former president's office seeking comment on the Anti-Corruption Agency's decision, but has not received a response.

Djukanovic can initiate administrative proceedings against the Agency's decision within 20 days.