UP: False reports of explosive devices in shopping malls and educational institutions

Reports of explosive devices in shopping malls in Podgorica and Budva and educational institutions in several locations in Montenegro were false, the Police Directorate (UP) announced.

"The police conducted the necessary inspections of these facilities and determined that the reports were false," the police said.

They stated that police officers are taking steps to determine the identity of the person or persons behind the false reports of planted explosive devices.

"Vijesti" reported earlier today that the Big Fashion and City Mall shopping centers in Podgorica and TQ Plaza in Budva were evacuated due to a report of a bomb.

The Budva police previously determined that this was a false report after a detailed inspection of the TQ Plaza shopping and business center in the center of Budva. This was confirmed to Vijesti by the police.

Previously, the entire building was evacuated, which also houses the Minor Offences Court, the Real Estate Administration, the Ministry of Internal Affairs branch, as well as the offices of the Budva Tourist Organization, the Secretariat for Social Activities, the Parking Service, and the "Ljubica V. Jovanović - Maše" kindergarten unit.

The Police Directorate previously said that they were conducting anti-sabotage inspections.

"The Police Directorate was informed this morning that several email addresses, including those of media outlets in Montenegro, received a threatening email stating that explosive devices had been placed in two shopping malls in Podgorica, across from the City Kvart neighborhood, and in a shopping mall in Budva on Mediteranska Street, and were about to be activated," the police said.

The police said that they were informed today that an email had been sent to the email addresses of educational institutions stating that explosive devices had been placed in several educational institutions in Nikšić.

"Police officers have informed the relevant prosecutor's offices about the above and are taking urgent counter-sabotage measures and inspections of these facilities. The public will be informed of the outcome of the proceedings after the activities of the Police Directorate officers have been completed," the statement said.