UP: Six Ukrainian citizens expelled from Montenegro on suspicion of cooperation with OKG

Six Ukrainian citizens were expelled with a ban on their stay in Montenegro on suspicion of having established a collaborative network with a high-risk organized crime group (OCG) in Montenegro.

This was announced today by the Police Administration (UP).

"Officers of the Police Directorate undertook several days of operational activities aimed at identifying foreign citizens whose stay and activities on the territory of Montenegro may pose a risk to internal and national security, during which six Ukrainian citizens were detected who are suspected of having established a collaborative network with a high-risk organized crime group in Montenegro," the statement reads.

According to them, in order to prevent the implementation of illegal activities on the territory of Montenegro, the Police, as they state, within its jurisdiction, after conducting operational checks and establishing a connection with an OKG, initiated the cancellation of temporary protection for suspects, granted on the basis of the Decision on granting temporary protection to persons from Ukraine, due to reasons related to internal and national security.

"After the temporary protection was lifted, for six citizens of Ukraine - DS (32), VY (31), OS (33), NS (28), HK (32) and AK (31) - upon completion of legal measures and actions taken by officers of the Police Directorate, decisions were made on their expulsion with a ban on their return to Montenegro for a period of five years, after which they were forcibly removed from the territory of Montenegro through the border crossings Podgorica Airport and 'Božaj', while another citizen of Ukraine, who is currently outside the territory of Montenegro, was banned from entering the country on the same grounds," the UP statement states.

The police add that during the measures and actions taken, the police officers found and confiscated various technical communication devices, GPS devices for tracking movement, drones, lashing devices, and other items from the aforementioned individuals.

"The Police Directorate will continue to implement coordinated activities aimed at protecting internal security, maintaining a stable security environment and timely undertaking legally prescribed measures to protect the citizens of Montenegro, as well as control the residence and activities of foreigners on the territory of the state, with the aim of timely recognition and prevention of security risks," it states.