The informal student group "Where Tomorrow?" announced today that its members will file a lawsuit against the Democratic Party of Montenegro and its officials "who have constantly made unfounded and untrue accusations about the connections of student protest organizers with criminal clans and corruption."
"Members of this party used their ministerial, parliamentary and other positions to make claims, without any evidence, that the organizers of the protests were members of organized criminal groups, thus directly endangering individuals from the 'Kamo Śutra?' collective. Public officials, members of the Government or political actors have not shown responsibility for the publicly spoken words, targeting, and have not once provided evidence for their claims, although this has been requested of them on several occasions," the statement by the informal student group "Kamo Śutra?" emphasizes.
They added that Interior Minister Danilo Šaranović, when asked on the show "Sunday in the Rearview Mirror" on Television Vijesti whether he connects organized crime groups to the protests and whether he has any operational data, replied: "I have operational data, but I stand behind everything my political subject announced today as a Democratic official."
"He never informed us or the public about this operational data, as we requested. Through their statements, in addition to constant calls to provide evidence for their claims, they continued targeting without any responsibility or awareness for their claims and publicly spoken words from their positions, in which they are institutionally and party-protected. This is especially dangerous when you consider that the attacks directed at young people without political functions and party backgrounds were made by MPs in the Parliament, as well as ministers and deputy prime ministers of the Government of Montenegro. Such presentation of 'truths' by political authorities has also caused the spread of hate speech, threats and insults that members receive via social networks," the informal student group "Where Tomorrow?" writes in a statement.
They said that this kind of statement by political and public figures has encouraged certain media outlets, which are targeting students gathered in "Where Tomorrow?".
"We are sorry that people whose work is paid for by citizens have decided to endanger those same citizens by using their position and leverage. We are especially sorry that students are an easy target for politicians and in this way they demonstrate their attitude towards democratic principles - freedom of thought and speech. We will use all the democratic, legal and legitimate capacities of this country - and that is why we are filing a lawsuit," said the informal group of students "Where Tomorrow?".
Bonus video:
