Turkish citizens EJ (38) and SJ (34) were arrested at Podgorica airport on suspicion of attempting to leave the country with forged passports, the Police Directorate (UP) announced today.
The statement states that officers of the Regional Border Police Center "Centar" checked Turkish citizens at Podgorica Airport, and that after conducting checks, they determined that they had attempted to cross the state border using forged United Kingdom documents.
"Namely, at the Podgorica Airport border crossing, while attempting to leave Montenegro, on a flight operating on the Podgorica - London route, border control was approached by persons who presented travel documents - United Kingdom passports in the names of WS (38), VS (34), and minors MS and AS. Police officers already at the first line of border control suspected the authenticity and correctness of the travel documents, which is why a detailed border check was carried out, which determined that these were complete forgeries - reproductions of original documents with numerous observed deviations. After collecting information from these persons, it was determined that they were actually Turkish citizens EY (38), SY (34), and their minor children aged 8 and 11," the statement states.
The UP added that the state prosecutor at the Basic State Prosecutor's Office in Podgorica was informed of the incident and ordered the arrest of EJ and SJ on suspicion of committing the criminal offense of forging a document.
"Today, with a criminal complaint, they will be brought to the further jurisdiction of the acting state prosecutor. After the completion of the procedure by the competent prosecutor's office and court, the Police Directorate will take measures to remove these persons from the territory of Montenegro. Bearing in mind that the public has recently been experiencing arbitrary and incorrect interpretations of data on the number of citizens of the Republic of Turkey residing in Montenegro, in order to prevent misinformation and accurately inform citizens, we inform the public that as of September 30, 2025, 13.308 citizens of the Republic of Turkey hold a temporary residence permit or temporary residence and work permit, while 87 persons from this country have been granted permanent residence," the statement reads.
The Police Department said that they are conducting intensive controls on the movement and legality of stay of foreign citizens in Montenegro.
"Thus, in the first nine months of this year, the following measures were taken against Turkish citizens in accordance with the Law on Foreigners and other applicable regulations: 213 decisions banning entry were issued at border crossings, while 1.469 misdemeanor orders were issued for unregistered stay. 237 decisions canceling residence were issued, and 790 misdemeanor reports were filed or misdemeanor orders were issued for illegal entry and stay. In the same period, 40 decisions on expulsion were issued, and 42 persons were forcibly removed from Montenegro. Also, 370 decisions on voluntary return were issued, while 26 foreign citizens were placed in the Reception Center for Foreigners. In the procedures for approving and extending temporary residence, 1.770 negative opinions were given, and 1.025 initiatives for the termination of temporary residence permits were submitted. In order to protect internal security, the Police Directorate will continue to implement regular and "targeted activities to control the residence of foreigners, in accordance with legal authorizations and in cooperation with other competent authorities, especially in relation to foreign citizens who violate regulations on the right to reside in Montenegro," the UP statement reads.
Bonus video:
