UP: No confirmation of allegations about the incident in Bistrica, investigation still ongoing

The checks so far have not confirmed the allegations of a gathering of men in a private building in the Bijelo Polje settlement of Bistrica, nor the claims that multiple criminal acts were committed on that occasion, the Police Directorate (UP) announced.

The police said that citizens did not report the incident, nor any violation of public order or violence in private buildings in the Bistrica area.

As they said, the Bijelo Polje Security Department, despite the fact that there were no reports from citizens, on its own initiative informed the Bijelo Polje Higher State Prosecutor's Office about the content of the posts on social networks and in the media.

"The allegations in the media, regarding the police measures and actions taken so far, relating to this gathering, as well as the alleged commission of several criminal offenses at the aforementioned gathering in the Bistrica neighborhood, do not correspond to the truth," the statement states.

The police explained that their officers, at the order of the prosecutor's office, carried out additional checks to determine whether there were elements of a criminal offense that is prosecuted ex officio, whether there were any injured persons, and whether any official abused their position.

"In this regard, police officers conducted checks in all health institutions in Montenegro, during which it was determined that in the period preceding the publication of the disputed content, no medical assistance was provided to any person from the alleged incident in Bistrica," the statement said.

The police, it added, have collected information from several people mentioned on social media as alleged participants in the event, as well as from a police officer whose name was mentioned in the posts.

"All persons from whom information was collected denied being present at this event or any similar occurrence, while the police officer mentioned in MM's posts has been attending basic police training in Danilovgrad for the past month," the Police Directorate said.

The statement also states that a statement was taken from journalist JN at the premises of the Podgorica Security Department, but that on that occasion she did not provide specific information that could help determine whether the event even occurred.

The Police Directorate announced that the proceedings in this case are still ongoing and that, after the measures and actions have been implemented, as well as the final position of the acting prosecutor, they will inform the public about this case in a timely manner.

The police warned that publishing and spreading unverified information causes harm to individuals and institutions, violates the integrity of individuals, and incites homophobia and hate speech.

"For this reason, we urge people who create and share such content to check with the competent state authorities, before publishing, whether such events have even occurred and therefore whether there is a need to inform the public," the statement states.