Latest News from Montenegro
BIRN Fact-Check: Can Montenegro’s new Minority Govt Deliver Consensus on Key Reforms?
The leader of the Black-on-White bloc, Abazovic, was elected Prime Minister by 45 votes in the 81-seat chamber, supported by his own coalition, the pro-Serbian Socialist People's Party and the former opposition Democratic Party of Socialists, DPS, the Social Democratic Party, the Bosniak Party and two ethnic Albanian coalitions.
Montenegro ‘Should Expect’ More False Bomb Threats
An elementary school in Podgorica closed after a false bomb threat. Photo: BIRN/Samir Kajosevic
Schools and some municipal buildings in Montenegro were closed and evacuated on Wednesday in response to the latest anonymous bomb threat; they have plagued the country since the end of March.
New Montenegrin Govt Awaits MPs’ Approval Amid Political Uncertainty
Prime Minister-designate Dritan Abazovic at a press conference in Podgorica. Photo: Government of Montenegro
"The government will have five priority areas of action. We will be focused on the fight against corruption, more sustainable investments, EU integration, sustainable development and environmental protection," Abazovic said.
Encrypted Phone Crack No Silver Bullet against Balkan Crime Gangs
When a French and Dutch-led police operation cracked the code to Sky ECC in February 2021, investigators gained access to a treasure trove of real-time evidence against a host of international crime gangs.
Thousands of people have been arrested around the world based on the Sky ECC takedown; in the Balkans, Saric is the biggest, but he is far from alone.
Montenegrin President Sees Path Back to Power for Once-Dominant Party
A new minority government in Montenegro offers the Democratic Party of Socialists a change to re-establish itself as a force to be reckoned with ahead of elections in 2023.
Final election debate on public TV goes awry
Ljubljana – The final debate of the election campaign hosted by the public broadcaster TV Slovenija last night ended in disarray after the host lost control of debate and opposition leaders walked out of the studio one by one after having their say.
Abazovic Promises Montenegro’s New Govt Will Hold Elections in 2023
Montenegrin Prime Minister-designate Dritan Abazovic at a press conference. Photo: Government of Montenegro
Abazovic said that the mandate of his government will be one year, and that its main task will be to prepare state institutions for next spring's early elections.
Vesna Medenica: Alleged ‘Judicial Protector’ of Montenegro’s Elite
The former president of the Supreme Court, Vesna Medenica, is the first top judicial official to be arrested for abuse of office in Montenegro, despite decades of accusations about widespread corruption in the Adriatic country.
Montenegrin Govt Warns of Increase in Religious Extremism
An inscription reading 'Islamic State, State of Raqqa, Islamic Services Commission, Unified Taxation Office' painted on a wall of a destroyed building in Raqqa, Syria. Photo: EPA-EFE/AHMED MARDNLI
Montenegro Arrests Ex-Head of Supreme Court for Abuse of Office
Former president of the Montenegrin Supreme Court Vesna Medenica at a press conference. Photo: PR Centar
In the transcripts of the conversations using the encrypted messaging application Sky ECC, Milos Medenica claimed his mother was aware of their illegal business and said that they can expect protection from her.
Media reported that she was arrested for abuse of office.
Former President of the Montenegrin Supreme Court arrested
The news was confirmed to "Vijesti" and "Vijesti" Television from several sources from the Police Administration.
According to reliable information, Medenica was detained due to a well-founded suspicion that she committed two criminal acts - creation of a criminal organization and abuse of official position, according to the portal Vijesti.
Germany states: "New era"
Olaf Scholz called for accelerating the accession of the Western Balkans to the European Union, which has been blocked for years, mentioning a "new era" in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
At a joint press conference with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised to help advance the issue.
US Sanctions Seven People as “Serious Threat” to Balkan Stability
The United States sanctioned seven people in politics, media and justice in the Balkans on Monday, calling them a "serious threat to regional stability" and the cause of democracy.
Avian Flu Threatens Pelican Population on Montenegrin Lake
Pelicans on Skadar Lake in Montenegro. Photo: PR Centar
Bojan Zekovic of the Centre for the Study and Protection of Birds, CRZP, said that 15 pelicans at the lake had died since the first case of avian flu was registered in Montenegro in April 6.
BIRN Offers Grants to Explore War Crimes Archives
The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network has launched a call for proposals for small projects by journalists, artists, historians and civil society activists covering topics related to the archives of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and domestic courts in former Yugoslav countries that dealt with war crimes cases.