Some parties condemned the attack on the executive director of the Network for the Affirmation of the Non-Governmental Sector (MANS), Vanja Ćalović Marković, via the Facebook page "Narodna Sloga".
A photo was published on that page that alludes to the dirty campaign against Vanja Ćalović Marković in "Informer" in 2014. The Montenegrin edition of that tabloid, which served the DPS for other dirty attacks on its other critics, was shut down at the end of 2016.
The Narodna sloga profile promoted Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and the Europe Now Movement, as well as criticized their critics, especially in recent days regarding the agreement with the United Arab Emirates and the alleged construction on Velika Plaza in Ulcinj.
After an avalanche of criticism began, the post was first removed from the Narodna Sloga page, and then the entire profile was removed from Facebook.
PES, meanwhile, distanced itself from the publication on the "Narodna sloga" page.
In their response to "Vijesti" they condemned, as they said, the unacceptable attack on Vanja Ćalović Marković via the aforementioned website.
They said that they do not manage that page, but that it is most likely run by PES sympathizers, and said that such content could never have been created on the instructions of any official of that party.
They then issued an official statement from the PES Presidency with the same content.
Božović: A shameful attack on a person who dedicated his work to the fight for truth, justice and transparency in society
Socialist People's Party (SNP) MP Bogdan Božović condemned the inappropriate and shameful campaign against Ćalović Marković.
Božović recalled that Ćalović Marković dedicated her work for decades to the fight for truth, justice and transparency in society.
"Such attacks, reminiscent of dark practices from the past, are absolutely unacceptable in a modern and democratic society. The time when individuals were exposed to public lynching for critical thinking and active action must be left behind. As a society, we must mature and understand that diversity of opinion and the right to public speech are the fundamental pillars of any democratic order. Freedom of speech is not a privilege - it is the guaranteed right of every citizen. Vanja Ćalović Marković, as an uncompromising activist who has been persevering in the fight for the public interest for decades, must not be the target of discredit, labeling and hate speech. We call on all participants in public life to refrain from divisive rhetoric and attacks. It is time to definitely say goodbye to retrograde patterns and build a society based on dialogue, mutual respect and true democracy," said Božović.
Todorović: We must learn that freedom of expression is a guaranteed right of every citizen
The Democratic People's Party condemned the attacks on Ćalović Marković, which took place via social media.
"Such outbursts, reminiscent of the dark methods of the DPS, have no place in the modern and democratic society we strive for. The time when dissenters are targeted for their public actions must be behind us. Attacking a woman for having a different opinion, in 2025, is not only uncivilized - it is a direct attack on the fundamental values of freedom of speech, dignity and the right to diversity," said Democratic People's Party spokesperson Jovana Todorović.
She added that as a society, we need to mature.
"We must learn that freedom of expression is a guaranteed right of every citizen and that no one should be targeted for thinking differently or asking uncomfortable questions. We call on all actors on the public stage to refrain from incitement, labeling and verbal violence, especially when it comes to women who have been working persistently and courageously in the public interest for years. It is time to finally break with the matrices of the past and embark on the path of real dialogue, respect and democracy," said Todorović.
Vujović: It's sad that Spajić and company behave like bulls in a glass shop and think they can do everything by force
The government is responsible for the environment in which such dirty attacks on its critics take place, wrote Ivan Vujović, the president of the SDP and one of the leaders of the European Alliance, online.
"The government's condemnations of the attacks on Vanja Ćalović are in vain, because you can't do everything wrong and then be surprised by such filth," said Vujović.
In the past, according to him, there were many bad things, but some democratic standards were still achieved.
"It's sad that Spajić and company have no idea about this, so they behave like bulls in a glass shop and think they can do everything by force. You can't and you won't," said Vujović.
Movement for Podgorica: Freedom of expression and personal integrity must not be conditioned by political affiliation
The Movement for Podgorica condemned the attack on Ćalović Marković.
"Such organized and personal attacks on critics of the government, especially when they come from anonymous, so-called 'bot' channels, represent the most primitive form of political confrontation and a serious threat to freedom of expression, the integrity of the individual and the foundations of a democratic society. Instead of transparent dialogue and responses to legitimate questions from the civil sector and the public, we are witnessing an attempt to discredit through humiliating campaigns that have only one goal - to intimidate, discourage and silence. The women from the Movement for Podgorica were also targeted by such attacks, who were exposed to particularly offensive and misogynistic comments, which further illustrates the depth of the problem and the atmosphere of lynching that is consciously encouraged," the Movement for Podgorica announced.
They called on all actors in political and social life to clearly and unequivocally distance themselves from such attacks.
"The Movement for Podgorica stands in defense of free speech, the dignity of every individual and the right of citizens to express their opinions without fear - regardless of who they supported or politically favored in previous campaigns. Freedom of expression and personal integrity must not be conditioned by political affiliation," the statement reads.
BS: Sanction all those who publicly insult the integrity of individuals
The Bosniak party condemned, as they said, the attempt to discredit the personality of the executive director of MANS.
"For a society that swears by the values of morality, ethics and human virtues, it is completely unacceptable that the integrity and personality of any individual in Montenegro is insulted through various illustrations and montages. Therefore, we strongly condemn media content that insults Ms. Ćalović-Marković, who deals with issues of great social importance. On the path to the EU, the institutions of our country must show additional readiness to sanction all those who in any way insult the integrity of individuals in public space," the statement reads.
Democrats: Everyone has the right to speak freely, without fear of being insulted by bots
Democratic Montenegro condemned the "dirty campaign being waged on social media" against Vanja Ćalović Marković.
"Our task, especially if we are in power or close to it, is to defend the right of every citizen, every organization and every critic to speak freely, without fear of being insulted, defamed or dehumanized by bots. Because today the target is Vanja Ćalović Marković, and tomorrow someone else, just as we were in the time of the deepest darkness that modern Montenegro remembers," the party said.
URA: PES took over the worst practices of DPS
The civic movement URA condemned the "disgusting attacks" on the director of MANS, which, they claim, "are being carried out by the most recognizable bot profiles of Milojko Spajić and the Europe Now Movement."
"Cowardly, inappropriate and street-level attacks on civic activists and all those who oppose the intention to sell off the state's most valuable resources have shown the true face of this party, which is slowly but surely becoming an ugly past of Montenegro's political life. They have once again confirmed that they are an extended arm of the UDBA-mafia wing that has been brightening and dressing our state in this way for 30 years," the URA announced.
They extended "full support to all the people who are defending Montenegro these days."
They say it was better that Spajić had not reacted at all, "than that he continued to insult the intelligence of citizens tonight, in his own style."
"That PES has adopted the worst practices of DPS, we have seen many times before. But that it has reduced its marketing reporting to the level of the worst days of Informer and Pink, is too much even for them," the URA said.
Dajković: She obviously touched a hornet's nest
The President of Free Montenegro Vladislav Dajković condemned the "dirty and anonymous attacks" on Vanja Ćalović Marković, which have been "orchestrated via social networks these days."
"The use of bot profiles, subterfuge and discrediting represents a return to the dark methods of political reckoning from the time of the former regime. It is obvious that Ćalović Marković touched a hornet's nest — the moment she asked awkward questions about the controversial project on Velika Plaza, the interests behind it and the secrecy of the agreement with investors from the United Arab Emirates. This bothered those who are used to doing business without questions, accountability and transparency. Her courage and consistency in the fight against corruption, regardless of who is in power, obviously bothers any structure that counts on the silence of the public," Dajković said.
He said that no government that claims to be better and different has the right to remain silent about such phenomena.
"Silence in this case is not neutrality — it is complicity. Vanja Ćalović Marković and her colleagues from MANS have been pointing out corruption, abuses and lawlessness for decades. Anyone trying to silence them today is doing exactly what DPS has been doing for years — and claimed that the opposite would be the case. I call on all relevant institutions, political actors and media to clearly distance themselves from such attacks and stand up for free, reasoned and civil dialogue. Democracy does not rest on bots and anonymous lies, but on truth, responsibility and respect for every citizen who has the courage to speak out publicly," Dajković said.
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