Montenegro arrests dozens after pro-Serb opposition rallies | Montenegro News

Dozens of individuals have been arrested in Montenegro just after seven law enforcement officers ended up hurt in clashes with professional-Serb opposition protesters during rallies about the command of a municipal assembly.

Riot law enforcement utilised tear gasoline to disperse dozens who rallied in front of the town corridor in the Adriatic coastal town of Budva and outside the house the interior ministry’s headquarters in the cash, Podgorica.

The dispute in Budva started on June 17 when the mayor, who is faithful to the professional-Serb opposition, refused to hand in excess of ability to the ruling coalition irrespective of getting rid of his vast majority in the neighborhood assembly.

Key Minister Dusko Markovic reported police had been implementing the law.

“If there’s no place for cause, the state will remedy this in 15 minutes,” Markovic explained to the parliament.

Law enforcement arrested 17 persons in Budva soon after dispersing the protesters.

Later on in the day, hundreds collected in other towns and commenced throwing rocks, bottles and other objects at police. At the very least 50 persons were arrested at numerous locations.

Upcoming elections

Montenegro’s ruling coalition, led by the Democratic Celebration of Socialists of President Milo Djukanovic, faces a nationwide election on August 30.

The opposition, which desires closer ties with neighbouring Serbia and Russia, accuses Djukanovic, who has ruled as key minister or president for practically 30 yrs, and his bash of corruption, nepotism and ties with organised crime. Djukanovic and his party deny the allegations.

Given that December, Montenegro has also been beset by protests by the Serbian Orthodox Church more than a law that lets the condition to seize some spiritual property.

Authorities in Podgorica have accused Serbia and Russia, which are closely aligned with the church and the opposition, of undermining Montenegro’s independence.

The Serbian Orthodox Church is the largest Christian denomination in Montenegro, a NATO member and a candidate to join the European Union.