Interior Minister Danilo Saranović said that Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic sent an inappropriate message when he said that "every village in Montenegro has its own organized criminal group."
Dacic said that Serbia has cut off the legs of the criminal octopus of groups from Montenegro and that there have been no mafia murders in recent years.
"I don't know the geography of Montenegro very well, since I'm not from that country, but every village there has its own organized criminal group, and I've never heard of those villages in my life," said Dacic.
Šaranović replied that Montenegrin villages are, above all, made up of honorable, hardworking and honest householders, who live with dignity from their work.
"To say anything that could link them to criminal groups is, without a doubt, imprudent and inappropriate," Saranović said in response.
The Minister of Internal Affairs also said that he was sorry "that the former regime of Montenegro left a legacy, due to which we face the perception of a strong criminal milieu built for three decades in front of the world".
"During that period, criminal organizations grew and expanded unhindered, and when that wasn't enough, they connected with similar groups in other countries, including the Republic of Serbia. It was a period in which top police officials lifted entry bans on Serbian citizens Marko Miljković and Veljković Belivuk were provided with escort, police protection, and even promotion at press conferences. Their actions, which the world has rightly condemned, have nothing to do with the worthy citizens of Serbia, just as the criminal activities of individuals have nothing to do with the honest citizens of Montenegro violate the dignity of our citizens," Saranović said.
He added that today Montenegro is witnessing historic results in the fight against organized crime and the heavy legacy left by the past.
"Our commitment to cooperation with international partners, including the Republic of Serbia, remains firm and of fundamental importance, because only with joint efforts can we stop this scourge. We also regret certain structures that are motivated by such statements and servilely accept the positions of some other countries that encroach on our sovereignty and the dignity of our institutions. When it was necessary, we could not hear their voice, because the policy of double standards is their main activity. Unlike them, I will always and in every place protect the dignity of Montenegro and its citizens, regardless of where they come from inappropriate messages. Montenegro is a country of honorable people and it is our duty to protect their reputation," Šaranović concluded.
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