When the government shouts hate surrounded by police

Several Podgorica councilors who participated in the protest in the capital the night before last, which called for the lynching and expulsion of Turks from Montenegro, avoided commenting on whether they had a place at the rally where slogans of hate were heard, which some of them even chanted.

At the same time, the police are silent about why they did not stop the unregistered gathering, which they were monitoring, from which xenophobic messages were sent.

The protest was held in front of the Government, following an incident in the Podgorica settlement of Zabjelo, in which a man was injured on Saturday. MJThe meeting was attended by councilors of the Capital City Assembly. Goran Milic (New Serbian Democracy), Milivoje Brkovic (United Montenegro), Boban Radević (Free Montenegro)...

When asked whether they believe that, as representatives of the authorities in the capital, they had a place at a gathering where chants were made, "A Turk will not walk through the city," "Turks out," and "Whoever doesn't jump is a Turk," and what message they are sending when they don't distance themselves from the outpouring of hatred, they did not answer yesterday.

Milić told a "Vijesti" journalist in a telephone conversation that he was "on the highway", that he was "not in the mood", adding that he would not answer questions, and asking if he had "any obligation" to do so.

After it was brought to his attention that the political representative of the citizens in the Podgorica parliament, to whom he is obliged to answer, is a party councilor Andrije Mandić He told the journalist that he "didn't mind."

In a video recorded by the editorial staff on the night of the protest, Milić can be seen singing "A Turk will not walk through the city" with the crowd.

The New Serbian Democracy did not answer the newspaper's questions about whether, given that Milić was at a protest where hatred against Turks was spread and participated in it, this was the party's position, and if not - whether their councilor would be sanctioned.

In a manner similar to Milić's, the answer given to "Vijesti" by Ujedinjena councilor Brković was similar. He replied to the questions posed with the words - "I'm running".

After the wounding of MJ, in which, according to the Police Directorate (UP), citizens of Turkey and Azerbaijan participated, a series of xenophobic incidents occurred - derogatory chants, demolition of catering facilities owned by Turks in several cities, burning of their cars... The incitement of hatred was also accompanied by assessments by some politicians from the government - that there are more than 110.000 Turks in Montenegro, and that this is the implementation of a "neo-Ottomanism project". The police, on the other hand, claim that there are 13 thousand Turkish citizens in Montenegro.

In response to the Zabjelo incident, the Government decided to temporarily introduce visas for them.

Due to the attack on a Podgorica resident, a protest was organized in Zabjelo on Sunday, during which a group of citizens chanted "Kill the Turk." The Higher Prosecutor's Office in Podgorica has initiated a case regarding these messages. However, for now, it is not commenting on the slogans uttered the day before yesterday.

President of Slobodna Vladislav Dajkovic, announced after the incident in which a Podgorica resident was attacked, that this was not an isolated case, but "an alarming indicator of how dangerous uncontrolled immigration from Turkey is."

"Thousands of foreigners enter Montenegro every day to buy apartments, shops and land, and the state remains silent... It is a project that has a name - neo-Ottomanism," claims Dajković.

Responding to the editorial team's question as to whether it is appropriate for him to support rallies where people chant "Turks will not walk through the city" and what kind of message he sends to citizens when he does not distance himself from such assessments, Dajković said that as a representative of the government, it is absolutely appropriate for him to think for himself, and then to always "be with his people", and not to "hide and run away from uncomfortable topics..." like some people.

"I don't care about positions or government if our people are threatened. I absolutely support protests aimed at drawing attention to the violence carried out by individual Turkish citizens throughout Montenegro, but also to the disastrous immigration policy of the government, which has allowed thousands of citizens of a certain country to enter our country without security checks...", he said.

Dajković stated that, at the same time, the fact that someone chanted abusive slogans is condemnable, and that "as a normal, educated and family man, I would never support it."

"However, let's not let the few aforementioned shouts distract us from the fact that a group of Turkish citizens stabbed an innocent young man with hunting knives... I believe that in that case we would look at the whole case differently," he said.

Slobodna councilor Radević, who was at the protest in Podgorica, told the editorial staff that he shares Dajković's position.

Banners were displayed at the rally, reading "Let's defend ourselves from further migration, stabbing, rape, occupation!", "They buy, they come with benefits for each and for seven stab wounds to the body", "Spajić, introduce a visa regime"...

The UP did not answer "Vijesti" why they did not stop the gathering where national, racial and religious hatred was spreading, nor did they answer the question of whether any protest participants were prosecuted.

According to the Criminal Code, anyone who publicly incites violence or hatred towards a group or member of a group determined on the basis of race, skin color, religion, origin, language, national or ethnic affiliation will be punished by imprisonment for six months to five years.

Acting Director of UP Lazar Scepanovic, said the day before yesterday that the protest had not been reported. He added in an interview with RTCG that the police have intelligence with a high degree of accuracy that "certain structures, factors and elements have been involved in heating up the situation."

"These latest activities, this very public gathering, have diverted attention from the large operations being conducted by the Police Department, the Special Police Department, the Special State Prosecutor's Office... We will resolve problems with foreigners in accordance with the law, in the institutions...", announced Šćepanović.

Police announced on Sunday that, as of September 30, 13.308 Turkish citizens have temporary residence permits or temporary residence and work permits in Montenegro, while 87 people from that country have been granted permanent residence.

President of the ruling Democratic People's Party (DNP) Milan Knezevic, previously said recently that there is a "dramatic increase in the number of Turkish citizens residing in Montenegro."

"According to my information, it is about 110.000 people...", he stated.

DNP has not yet responded to "Vijesti"'s question about where Knežević got this information.

Šušić: Citizens should refrain from further participation in protests

Head of the NSD parliamentary group in the Podgorica parliament Mitar Susic, said that he understands the concern that people feel about the "really poorly controlled stay and activities of foreigners in Montenegro", but that the protests are a greater danger. "However, at this moment I believe that a much greater danger comes from these protests themselves, from which we can already hear instructed and unworthy messages of hatred for Montenegro and which create an atmosphere of lynching," he assessed.

Šušić said he thinks the state has already gotten the message and that further gatherings can only become an ideal opportunity for "malicious individuals to infiltrate their performers and, in the scenario we have already seen, try to create additional tensions."

He claims that the slogans being heard are unacceptable, "not to mention the destruction of private property." Every citizen who attends these protests should, as he underlined, know that they can easily become a tool or victim of bad intentions. "Therefore, my appeal to citizens is to refrain from further participation in these activities, to protect their lives, health and property, but also the reputation and dignity of this people," said Šušić.