Montenegro Activists Defy 'Unlawful Protest' Ban

Hundreds of protesters in several major towns demonstrated on Monday against Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic's administration, which they accuse of widespread corruption, undemocratic practices and election fraud.

The main opposition party alliance, the Democratic Front, launched daily protests in 15 towns across Montenegro after mass protests started in the capital city Podgorica on September 27. Activists organised protests in towns where the Democratic Party of Socialists - the party led by Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic - holds the majority of local parliamentary seats.

Democratic Front leaders have called on other opposition parties to join the rallies and support protesters' demands for the creation of an interim government to organise what they say would be Montenegro's "first ever free and fair elections".

At demonstrations in several major towns, including Niksic, Budva, Bijelo Polje, Bar and Herceg Novi, protesters also called for early local elections and an investigation into the alleged misuse of state resources and political corruption.

"We will show resistance to decades of legal violence, injustice, humiliation and electoral fraud, guided by the will of the majority of citizens of our community," local opposition official Milan Zejak said during a protest in the town of Mojkovac.

The Interior Ministry said the opposition had failed to obtain approval to stage rallies in the 15 towns, saying applications to hold demonstrations were incomplete and were not submitted at least five days in advance, as the Law on Public Gathering requires.

However, opposition leaders said they would continue protests in 15 municipalities no matter what the police said.

Police said that even though the protests...