Montenegro Police Fire Tear Gas at Protesters

Police used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse anti-government demonstrators in the capital city Podgorica on Saturday evening, after protesters tried to enter the parliament building.

The interior minister Rasko Konjevic praised the police for protecting state property and preserving peace and order. He said that 15 police officers were injured and over 20 people have asked for medical assistance because of tear gas.

"Police activities are still ongoing, there are people who have been detained," police officials said at a press conference held after midnight. They also confirmed that Andrija Mandic, leader of opposition party Nova, has been detained but said no opposition MPs have been detained by police.

The area around the parliament building where the rally took place now appears to be empty.

Security was tight in the capital. Along with a heavy police presence, barricades have been placed around all important state institutions and most streets in the city centre are closed.

At the time of writing, there were several violent clashes at various locations across Podgorica with the police deploying armoured vehicles and using tear gas and stun grenades to disperse protesters.

Earlier, opposition MPs had also attempted to enter the parliament building but were prevented by heavy police forces at the scene. Leaders of the opposition told the crowd that the parliamentary speaker, Ranko Krivokapic, would arrive at parliament to start negotiations on their demands.

At least 5,000 people attended the rally on Saturday in Podgorica to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic, the formation of an interim government and early elections.

Protesters carried Montenegrin and Serbian flags, while chanting ...