Page 15 - bne_newspaper_January_25_2019

Southeast Europe
January 25, 2019 www.intellinews.com I Page 15
said that recent events have shown the law treats everyone the same, and that Knezevic is lying about having the support of the party’s youth organisation.
In an interview with Vijesti, Knezevic made broader claims about the situation in the Monte- negrin banking sector, telling the newspaper that three other banks have been dealing with “suspi- cious transactions” and their clients are “espe- cially vulnerable”. Unlike the two banks within Atlas Group, however, these banks are “under the direct protection of the regime,” he claimed.
Meanwhile, on January 21 the police arrested former central bank governor Velibor Milosevic, following Knezevic’s claims that, while holding the position at the central bank, he had blackmailed him in order to pay those in charge of banking supervision to relax control over Knezevic’s banks. According to broadcaster RTCG, the
police arrested several others, also suspected
Erdogan calls on companies to cut profits to help consumers hit by Turkey’s economic dire straits
bne IntelliNews
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on January 21 called on companies to cut profits if necessary to help consumers through Turkey’s challenging economic time.
Companies should lower their prices, he added,
of participating in the corrupt scheme.
Montenegro’s central bank issued a statement, claiming that it is executing banking supervision properly, but in order to clear up any suspicions of corruption has encouraged the prosecution to investigate everyone that might have been involved in illegal activities. The bank also said that it will carry out an internal investigation.
Knezevic was once owner of Atlas TV. In 2016, the TV channel went bankrupt leaving a €3mn unpaid debt, according to RTCG. This sum included €800,000 in unpaid salaries, and a trial for their repayment is ongoing.
In 2018, hospital Meljina, privatised by Knezevic’s Atlas Group, also went bankrupt due to its poor financial condition. A higher court annulled the bankruptcy decision, but the situation at the hospital has not improved and Knezevic says
he will complete the bankruptcy procedure.
Man of the people. A pro-Erdogan banner on a balcony in Gostivar, Macedonia.
in a nod to Turkey’s battle with its double-digit inflation, exacerbated during the currency crisis that hit the Turkish lira last year.
Erdogan — at the end of last week granted emer- gency economic powers he is now entitled to