The detained Botunians were released after taking information

This morning, the police detained several residents of Botun who were protesting the construction of a collector.

The Police Directorate announced that police officers, in accordance with the law, "provided assistance in execution to Vodovod i kanalizacima doo Podgorica".

"Since physical resistance was justifiably expected in the process of carrying out the execution, and a certain number of people gathered on the spot, with the intention of not allowing the execution, that was the reason for the police's actions in relation to the mentioned persons."

"After establishing the identity and meeting the state prosecutor's office, all persons left the police premises without further detention," the police announced.

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The Socialist People's Party previously announced that 27 people had been detained.

One of the leaders of the Democratic Front, Milan Knežević, called the police intervention shameful and said this morning that he will cancel his support for the government if the detainees are not released.

"Shameful intervention by the Police Administration and Ivan Vuković, who arrested dozens of peaceful residents of Botun this morning, because they were protesting the construction of a collector. If they are not released today, I cancel my support for the Government of Zdravko Krivokapić. My face is more important than the government," Knežević said. on Twitter.

Democrats: An unprecedented scandal

Democratic Montenegro assessed that it was an "unprecedented scandal" and demanded that the detainees be released without delay.

"These people are not fighting against anyone, they are fighting for their rights and the rights of their village. To use force instead of reaching a solution through discussions with citizens is completely unacceptable."

"How abnormal and unjust this situation is is best illustrated by the fact that on one side we have Veselin Veljović who attacks the police, and on the other Ivan Vuković who attacks and demands the arrest of the residents of Botun who are protesting because they believe they are threatened. Such practices, typical of the former government DPS will never again be part of the Montenegrin system," the party announced.

URA: Mitrović and Vuković to offer alternative locations, the Government to finance the difference and protect Botun

The civil movement URA called on the Minister of Ecology and Spatial Planning Ratko Mitrović and the Mayor of Podgorica Ivan Vuković to, taking into account the complexity of the overall situation, as well as the fact that it is an inherited situation, previously defined by the current city administration and the former Government, and understanding " more than justified fears" of the locals of Botun, show responsibility and start discussions about finding an ideal solution.

The URE said that such issues cannot be solved by force, and that there is always room for finding a quality solution "if there is even an iota of goodwill".

"The Ministry and the Capital City must sit down and conduct a Study of possible alternative locations, near the previously selected one, which will not require huge financial expenditures, and which will avoid degrading the quality of life of the citizens of Botun. After the aforementioned study offers several alternative locations, with clearly defined financial investments - if there were to be a change of location, the Government of Montenegro would have to take a decisive role by compensating for the missing financial resources. This is the only way, devoid of populism and empty promises, that can lead to a solution in a civilized way for the benefit of all," they announced. are from URE.

That party called on the Capital City to temporarily stop the work until the mentioned Study is completed, in order to avoid new interventions by the Police Administration and new protests by disgruntled citizens.

"Whoever wants to find a solution and reduce tensions, will find the time and will to follow the steps mentioned. In order to solve the problem, which will protect the already devastated area of ​​Botun, and at the same time find a more adequate location for the construction of the much-needed wastewater treatment plant, all responsible actors must contribute," conclude from the URA Civic Movement.

SNP: Vuković completed his political mission

Slađana Kaluđerović, president of the board of the Socialist People's Party (SNP) in Golubovci, announced that among those detained was Slavko Vukčević, a councilor of that party in the previous mandate.

"The Socialist People's Party strongly condemns the arrest of 27 residents of Botun, who peacefully protested against the construction of a collector on their territory. Among the arrested residents was Slavko Vukčević, SNP councilor in the previous term, who has been actively fighting against the project that violates the health and quality of life of the people of Botany."

"We believe that the political complexes of the mayor of Podgorica, Ivan Vuković, are behind the arrest of the residents of Botun, who shows his intolerance towards Zeta by arbitrariness and the arrest of the residents of Botun. We say to the future former mayor - you have completed your political mission. Not only in Zeta, but also in Podgorica. The citizens of Botun will leave to freedom, and let Vuković wonder where he will be after the election," Kaluđerović announced.

Rights: Those detained were only fighting for their rights

The appeal for the release of the detained locals was sent this morning also from Prava Montenegro.

"True Montenegro demands from the Police Administration and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to immediately release the residents of Botun who were arrested this morning, only because they fought for their rights, protesting against the construction of a collector in that settlement, which they have every right to do. This arrest is an example of disrespect for both the Constitution and the people who are fighting against the imposition of the arbitrariness of the mayor of Podgorica."

"We expect that the residents of Botun will be released as soon as possible and that they will be given full freedom to express their opinion and position regarding the construction of the collector, whose construction is planned near their settlement," said the party.

KOR: The government showed that it has no ear for environmental problems

The Coalition for Sustainable Development (KOR) said that, in addition to the release of the villagers, they are also seeking to fulfill their demands for the relocation of the collector's location.

"The right to a healthy environment, the right to protest and to peaceful public assembly are guaranteed by the Constitution, and accordingly, in addition to their release, we also ask that their requests to relocate the site be accepted. This persecution of the locals is incredibly reminiscent of the persecution of environmental activists that has been going on for decades carried out by the Democratic Party of Socialists and this practice must be stopped," announced KOR.

They point out that local communities must be consulted before making any important decision that affects or may affect their lives, because the planned collector "will not be near the house of the current mayor of Podgorica", nor any of the officials who make decisions, but near the houses and properties of the residents of Botun .

"Accordingly, it is time for the locals to ask, and for the police officers and decision-makers to finally understand that they are being paid by the citizens, everyone, including those who were stuffed into the police car this morning."

"With what they did this morning, less than a month after they recently celebrated the jubilee of the declaration of Montenegro as an ecological state by the Black Lake, without any results in environmental protection, the government showed that they also have no ear for environmental problems," KOR said. -a.

"Botun residents know that they are not alone in this fight, as well as the citizens of Danilovgrad who have been fighting for years against the construction of a collector in the city park, the residents of Spuž, but also all those who guard the rivers and mountains. This kind of police intervention will trigger an avalanche of protests, and the government that is our promised commitment to environmental problems will not be able to stop them."

"Therefore, KOR asks the police chief who issued the arrest warrant for the residents of Botun and the mayor of Podgorica - are you ashamed," concludes the Coalition for Sustainable Development.