Married Presidential Adviser, Subordinate Quit as Sex Tape Scandal Shakes Montenegro
Montenegro has been plunged into political turmoil following the resignation of a married top presidential adviser and his subordinate after an alleged sex tape involving both officials surfaced online, sparking accusations of blackmail, threats, and abuse of authority.
The scandal involves Dejan Vukšić, a former director of Montenegro’s National Security Agency and an adviser to President Jakov Milatović, and Mirjana Pajković, until recently the Director General for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights at the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights. Both officials stepped down from their positions in January, citing personal reasons, as public pressure intensified over the controversy.
The crisis erupted after a video allegedly showing the two officials in an intimate encounter began circulating on social media and encrypted messaging platforms. The footage quickly spread, drawing widespread public attention and igniting a national debate about ethics, privacy, and accountability within the highest levels of government.
Following the leak, Pajković publicly accused Vukšić of blackmail and intimidation, claiming he threatened her with compromising material and warned that there would be “no life” for her in Montenegro if she refused to comply with his demands. She alleged that the threats were part of a broader pattern of psychological pressure and described the release of the video as a form of violence and a serious violation of her human rights.
Pajković also criticized President Milatović, accusing him of failing to act despite being informed of the alleged threats. She said she reached out to the president multiple times, sharing messages and recordings she claimed showed intimidation by his adviser, but received no response until the scandal became public.
In her resignation statement, Pajković said she was stepping aside to protect the integrity of the institution, while urging women in politics not to remain silent when faced with coercion or abuse of power. She has since filed several criminal complaints, including allegations of unauthorized distribution of intimate content, threats, and blackmail.
video or threatened Pajković, insisting that he first saw the footage only after it began circulating online. He accused Pajković of stealing his phone and misusing private recordings, and filed his own criminal complaint against her, alleging attempted extortion and abuse of privacy.
According to Vukšić, recordings presented as evidence by Pajković were taken out of context and selectively released long after they were made. He also claimed he had previously been subjected to blackmail threats linked to the same recordings, which he said were used to pressure him over unrelated political matters.
The scandal deepened further after reports emerged that an alleged threatening call to Pajković may have originated from a landline inside the president’s office, a claim that has intensified scrutiny of the presidency and raised serious questions about institutional responsibility.
Montenegrin authorities have since launched investigations into the origin and distribution of the leaked material, as well as the competing criminal complaints filed by both parties. The State Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that multiple cases are under review, focusing on potential violations of privacy laws and allegations of coercion.
The affair has triggered a broader national conversation about the misuse of power, the protection of personal privacy, and the treatment of women in public office. Human rights groups and civil society organizations have condemned the circulation of intimate content without consent, warning that such practices undermine democratic institutions and fundamental rights.
As investigations continue, the resignations of both officials have left a stain on Montenegro’s political landscape, with opposition figures calling for greater transparency and accountability at the highest levels of government. The outcome of the legal proceedings is expected to have lasting implications for political ethics and privacy protections in the country.
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