A scandal involving sexually explicit videos and photographs of a former Montenegrin state secretary has escalated into one of the country’s most serious political and security crises, resulting in multiple resignations, criminal complaints, and police involvement.
Mirjana Pajković, former state secretary at the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights, and Dejan Vukšić, former head of the National Security Agency (ANS) and presidential security advisor, both resigned following the public release of intimate materials earlier this year.
Pajković filed complaints with police regarding the unauthorized distribution of her private videos, threats, and blackmail, saying she was subjected to prolonged pressure. She described the publication of the materials as a form of violence and a serious violation of human rights.
Pajković told web-based television “Dana” that after she refused certain demands, she was threatened with personal and professional harm. She said she repeatedly alerted President Jakov Milatović about the threats from his advisor, but received no response, and only after media coverage did institutions take action.
The former secretary also highlighted issues of gender discrimination and unequal application of the law, warning that women in public office are particularly vulnerable to harassment and exploitation.
Vukšić denied any involvement in the creation, possession, or dissemination of the explicit materials. He said Pajković had unlawfully taken his mobile phone in October 2024, which was subsequently misused. He added that he himself faced blackmail and pressure related to his candidacy for the Constitutional Court, and that one controversial call was made from a fixed phone in the presidential office.
Pajković, who held a prominent public profile on social media, frequently emphasized the importance of personal appearance as part of political responsibility. She stated that how public officials present themselves reflects on their professionalism and accountability.
Montenegro’s National Security Agency has distanced itself from the scandal. The Human Rights and Freedoms Ombudsman stressed that all individuals, regardless of position, retain their rights to privacy, dignity, and protection from violence, urging responsible conduct by the media and the public.
The Podgorica Basic State Prosecutor’s Office has opened two cases based on Pajković’s criminal complaints. Investigations are ongoing.
Observers have warned that the scandal has diverted public attention from pressing political and economic challenges in Montenegro, including European Union negotiations, criminal networks, and shortages of essential goods.