Montenegrin PM vows to "deal with media mafia"

Montenegrin PM vows to "deal with media mafia"

PODGORICA -- Montenegrin PM Milo Đukanović has denied his involvement in an alleged corruption case related to the privatization of the country's telecommunications company.

He at the same time said he would "deal with all kinds of mafia, including the media mafia."

"Everything that's appeared these days and is connected with my name, is a vile lie. I invite all those capable of doing something more than creating lies, to come forward with it before the Montenegrin public, and let's at last remove this item from the agenda. This way we're dealing with stupidity. The stupidity that lives both there and here. I am confirming this to you now. Stupidity and lies," Đukanović said, according to media reports from Podgorica.

Responding to a question from a member of the Montenegrin parliament, who asked why the prime minister "has not dealt with the media mafia", Đukanović said he was "very determined" to take on "every kind of mafia":

"That includes that one, which thinks it can use dailies and headlines to racketeer companies and people, and which thinks it can influence the stock market and gain riches in that way. In sum, with any kind of mafia in Montenegro. I am very determined. "

Đukanović also stated that he would "go all the way" regardless of the fact that "someone will try to present it with political and other mutinies."

"That will not serve as a reason to slow down, on the contrary. I will insist on this in a very determined manner and very soon we will be able to look at not only what we are doing now, but what was done before in Montenegro," he said.