Milatović: I will be the first to defend free speech, Đukanović recalled the time of his autocratic rule

"Not a word about attacks on journalists, construction of affairs against critical NGO leaders, persecution of political dissidents, arrests of citizens due to comments left on social networks"

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Milatović, Photo: Boris Pejović

Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

D.C.

25.07.2023. 16:31h

The President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović, said that from that position he would be a defender of free speech.

He said that his predecessor Milo Đukanović today "recalled the time of 'freedom of opinion and publicly expressed criticism' during his multi-decade autocratic rule".

Đukanović said earlier today that "in the past three years, few actors on the public scene have preserved their independence and impartiality, sharpened their critical thinking despite the increasingly frequent direct attacks by the authorities, as did some NGOs, journalists, artists, intellectuals".

"The former president of Montenegro nostalgically reminded us of the time of "freedom of opinion and publicly expressed criticism" during his multi-decade autocratic rule. Not a word about attacks on journalists, construction of affairs with critical NGO leaders, persecution of political dissenters, arrests of citizens due to comments left on social networks," wrote Milatović on Twitter.

The former president of Montenegro nostalgically reminded us of the time of "freedom of opinion and publicly expressed criticism" during his multi-decade autocratic rule. Not a word about attacks on journalists, constructing affairs with critical NGO leaders, ... 1/3 👇
— Jakov Milatovic 🇲🇪🇪🇺 (@JakovMilatovic) July 25, 2023

"Despite all the shortcomings of the government" after the changes in 2020, as he stated, "the only thing is certain - that Montenegro is today an incomparably freer society".

"Creating a favorable environment for the work of the civil sector and the media, readiness for open dialogue and partnership, must be the mission of every government, and as the President of Montenegro, I will be the first to defend free speech," stated Milatović.