Podgorica

Montenegro was jolted awake by a powerful earthquake in the early hours of this morning, sending shockwaves across the region. According to reports from various seismological agencies, the earthquake measured between 5.3 and 5.7 on the Richter scale, striking fear into the hearts of residents.

PODGORICA - Serbian Minister of Internal and External Trade Tomislav Momirovic said on Thursday Serbia would chair the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) association in 2024.

PODGORICA - Studentski centar Podgorica won the Super Cup of the regional ABA basketball league by defeating Partizan Belgrade 83-81 (25-22, 17-18, 21-26, 20-15) in the final in Podgorica on Wednesday evening.

Studentski centar claimed their first ABA League Super Cup trophy in club history.

Kevin Punter led the scoring for Partizan with 23 points and Zach LeDay added 13.

The special state prosecutor's offices in Podgorica, Montenegro. Photo: EPA/BORIS PEJOVIC

A group of prominent defence lawyers in Montenegro says they cannot. They claim the investigations are flawed and say hacked messages should not be used as evidence in court, as the secrecy of the hacking means suspects haven't had fair trials.

Police officers escort South Korean crypto mogul Do Kwon (C) in Podgorica, Montenegro. Photo: EPA-EFE/BORIS PEJOVIC

On March 23, Do Kwon and Han Chang-Joon, a senior executive at Chai, a mobile payment provider, were arrested at Podgorica airport trying to board a private flight to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates with falsified travel documents from Costa Rica.

Leader of Europe Now movement Milojko Spajic talks to media after casting his ballot in Podgorica, Montenegro. Photo: EPA-EFE/BORIS PEJOVIC

The result confirmed Europe Now's dominance after it took power in the capital, Podgorica, and another town in October last year and its deputy leader, Jakov Milatovic, beat incumbent Milo Djukanovic in April's presidential election.

Electoral campaign billboards in Montenegrin capital Podgorica. Photo: BIRN/Samir Kajosevic

Since then the small Adriatic country has endured almost constant political turbulence and two governments have been ousted.

Podgorica-based University professor Predrag Zenovic said there are expectations that the elections could herald an end to the turmoil.

The special state prosecutor's offices in Podgorica, Montenegro. Photo: EPA/BORIS PEJOVIC.

Five others were injured in the attack, which took place during NATO's 78-day bombing of Yugoslavia, aimed at making President Slobodan Milosevic end his repression of ethnic Albanians and withdraw his forces from Kosovo.

Democratic Front leaders Milan Knezevic (L) and Andrija Mandic (R) at a pre-election rally in Podgorica, Montenegro in March. Photo: EPA-EFE/BORIS PEJOVIC

Defence lawyer Miroje Jovanovic asked the court to separate the proceedings against Mandic, Knezevic and Mandic's driver Mihailo Cadjenovic from the other ten defendants as the secret files apparently do not relate to them.