Milo Đukanović

They were found guilty of plotting to commit "terrorist acts" and undermine the constitutional order during the parliamentary elections in October 2016, with a view to overthrowing the government and preventing Montenegro from joining NATO.

Prosecution 'carried out Djukanovic's orders'

Milo Djukanovic in Podgorica, Montenegro, 2019. Photo: EPA-EFE/BORIS PEJOVIC

The President of Montenegro, Milo Djukanovic, on Thursday filed a lawsuit against the independent daily newspaper Vijesti and the businesman Dusko Knezevic over claims that he took bribes.

People protest against populist President Milo Djukanovic in Podgorica, Montenegro, 2019. Photo: EPA-EFE/BORIS PEJOVIC

Opponents of Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic protested again in the capital on Saturday, accusing the country's long-time leader of presiding over poverty, a loss of human rights and media freedoms and corruption.

Denying that they have offered an "original approach to solving problems in Montenegro", he has commented that the protesters call for a Ukraine-style "Orange revolution", or a French-style "Gillet Jaune" revolt.

"They show an absence of creativity, massiveness or originality," he has mused, concerning the calls for his resignation.

Civic activists supported by most opposition parties in Montenegro have kept up the pressure on the government, demanding the resignation of the country's top leaders, starting with President Milo Djukanovic, and focusing on alleged corruption in their ranks.

Police arrested Nebojisa Medojevic, an MP from the opposition Democratic Front, and sent him to jail in the capital Podgorica on Friday to serve a two-month sentence.

He had been convicted of refusing to testify against the former long-term mayor of Podgorica, Miomir Mugosa, in a case involving corruption and misuse of office allegations.

As stated, this was done due to their alleged activity against the constitutional order and safety of Montenegro, and for inciting national, racial, and religious hatred.

After media reported on Thursday that Montenegrin police have barred four Serbian cultural, academic and legal figures from entering the country, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic condemned the decision and vowed to respond. 

The high-profile coup plot trial in Podgorica on Tuesday heard testimony from US security company executive Brian Scott, an ex-CIA operative who the prosecution claims offered to evacuate opposition politicians and protesters from parliament during a violent overthrow of the government that was allegedly planned for October 2016.