The conclusions of the Committee were supported by MPs of the Democratic Party of Socialists, Positive Montenegro and the Bosniak Party, while delegate of the Socialist People’s Party, Snežana Jonica, and independent MP Velizar Kaluđerović were against. Representatives of the Democratic Front were not at the meeting.
The session was attended by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Rasko Konjevic, and Slavko Stojanovic.
“Considering the current security situation in connection with protests in Podgorica, The Committee expressed full support to all relevant state authorities in the implementation of legally established measures in order to protect constitutionally guaranteed democratic values of Montenegro, integrity, liberty and property of every citizen”, said the statement of the Committee.
The Committee also asked the subjects of parliamentary oversight to revise the legality of certain measures undertaken and actions exercised by certain individuals, in order to determine the possible abuse of authority and sanction the perpetrators.
“The Committee expects the State Prosecutor’s Office to provide an institutional response in the shortest possible time by assessing the legality of events that resulted in injured police officers, journalists, citizens, damage to material goods and other forms of damage, so as to protect the constitutional order and the rule of law”, concluded the statement of the Committee delivered to the media.
The Committee calls on all political actors to intensify dialogue within relevant institutions with a view to reducing tension and maintaining peace and stability in Montenegro.
DPS MP Obrad Stanisic said that the actions of police officers were professional and defended the constitutional order of the country.
“If anyone thinks they are called to overturn Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic, by destroying Montenegro, they are gravely mistaken. I think the grudge against the prime minister is just a cover to overturn the state, and we know that he is the biggest ‘culprit’ why Montenegro is an independent and internationally recognized state”, he said.
Stanisic said that the protests were not political or anti-government, but anti-state, and aimed at creating chaos in the country set to receive an invitation to join NATO in a month and a half.
“We know what the intentions are, and we know that certain foreign services are very much invested in the protests, but there will be time to talk about it later. There will be control hearings and meetings of the Committee where we will question individual security structures for these information”, he added.
Mr. Kaluđerović asked the Interior minister whether the Ministry of Interior received any official information from the National Security Agency on threats to public order and national security, as well as whether he had information on the alleged intention of the demonstrators to enter the Parliament building.
He also asked Konjević why the Interior Ministry violated the law on public gatherings by allowing the setting of stage and tents, when it is provided that a public meeting may be held at a distance of at least 50 meters away from the institutions.
“I think you did it intentionally. It also meant the stopping of traffic on the main traffic artery in the capital, and I reasonably suspect that the authorities knowingly violated the law in political calculation to try to make citizens resent the organizers of protests”, said Kaluđerović.
He also asked why the police did not deny accusations that their ranks in the protests included criminals.
Pajović noted it is necessary to reduce tensions and urged dialogue, peace and stability.
He asked why Konjević why the Interior Ministry did not deny media reports which qualified police actions as “brutal beating, hitting and thrashing”, as well as allegations that deputies Branko Rdaulović, Nebojsa Medojevic and Andrija Mandic were injured.
Mustafic called for reducing of tension, citing the need to appeal to the prosecutor’s office to investigate the excessive use of force, if there was any.
“When it comes to strategic goals of Montenegro, European and NATO integration, all institutions should review their behavior and anyone who is proven to be harming these processes should be held accountable”, he added.
Nuhodžić pointed out that the Constitution stipulates that governing power cannot be established nor recognized if it is not the result of the freely expressed will of citizens in democratic election in accordance with the law.
“The protests are demanding power to be won otherwise”, he added.
Konjevic reiterated allegations that uniformed police officers included criminals are shameful, stating that he who said it must prove it.
He also repeated that the setting of stage is not the competence of the Interior ministry, but local authorities
Konjevic said that on Saturday morning, 250 police officers were deployed to assist during the gathering which, he said, turned out to be disturbance of public peace and order, which is why the Chief of Police decided to interrupt it and urged the demonstrators to disperse.
“This happened in front of the Parliament, where the police previously prohibited gathering. How else to interpret the behaviour of demonstrators who came in front of the Assembly knowing it is not permitted to hold protests there any more, but to say someone was exercising unlawful conduct”, the Minister said.
Commenting on endangering the constitutional order, he is suggested the question should be directed to those in charge, whose direct jurisdiction is to deal with these matters – the NSA.
“We cannot discuss here certain data which are in any way identified with a level of secrecy, and I think it is fair to first talk to relevant institutions”, he said.
Konjevic asked the MPs to condemn the behavior of MP Milan Knezevic, who attacked a police officer.
When Mrs. Jonica asked him whether MPs Slaven Radunovic and Vladislav Bojovic were detained or arrested, Konjevic said his position is that police officers did not violate the law, and that the deputies were arrested.
“If you believe the police have abused their official position, file criminal complaints and check with the prosecutor whether they acted in accordance with the law”, said the Minister.
Jonica commented Konjević’s assessment that allegations about police ranks including criminals are shameful by reminding him of his previous words:
“To quote your statement, Minister, from a month ago – “It is clear that organized crime groups and their tentacles in the police were preparing to discredit me in the media in a most hideous way.” So organized crime has tentacles in the police and there are criminals wearing police uniforms when it comes to you, but you call it shameful when the same comment comes from a serious politician”, said Jonica.
Konjevic replied he offered concrete facts for his allegations and forwarded them to the prosecutor, adding that it would be normal for Srdjan Milic to do the same, and provide authorities with information.
