The Strategy for a European and Civic Montenegro - STEGA, requested a meeting with the Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation, Johan Sattler, today, after the police announced yesterday that 35 people were processed for disturbing public order at a protest in front of Villa Gorica in Podgorica in early July.
The protest took place on July 8, 2025, during the ceremony to present the July 13th Award. The Police Directorate stated yesterday that an unregistered gathering of citizens organized by STEGA was held on July 8, during which public order and peace were disrupted and police officers were actively attacked by the crowd.
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STEGA announced today that they have addressed Sattler with an open letter.
"Dear All,
"We are writing to you on behalf of the Strategy for a European and Civic Montenegro - STEGA, an association of free citizens of Montenegro, with a request for an urgent reception and discussion regarding the events that followed the non-violent, spontaneously held gathering of citizens, organized on July 8, 2025 in front of the Villa Gorica in Podgorica. According to publicly available information, police officers of the Podgorica Security Department identified and prosecuted 35 persons who participated in the gathering. Among the citizens was a member of the Parliament of Montenegro, a member of the Council for Civil Control of Police Work, as well as one person whose alleged actions were recorded and published on social networks," STEGA's letter states.
They added that they wanted to highlight several key facts that they find deeply concerning.
"The constitutional right of citizens to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression has been violated. The gathering, organized by the STEGA association, had the character of a peaceful public protest, with clearly expressed civic positions. Despite this, the participants were treated as perpetrators of a misdemeanor, while at the same time ignoring the fact that numerous police officers used physical force during the event, for which no one was prosecuted, nor was it publicly announced whether internal oversight of the legality of their intervention was conducted. Such selective application of the law threatens trust in institutions, deepens social tensions, and sends a dangerous message that the civil right to protest can be interpreted as an automatic violation, while the actions of the police remain without independent control," STEGA said.
They state that at no point were they informed about the initiation of misdemeanor proceedings against citizens.
"We were informed about these prosecutions exclusively through media headlines, which we consider unacceptable, especially considering that we are the organizers of the gathering and that we expected transparent communication from the competent authorities. Because of all the above, we ask for your reception so that we can inform you in detail about the facts, provide the collected documentation and discuss the implications of such actions on: the protection of human rights, freedom of assembly and expression, democratic processes in Montenegro, the state's obligations under Chapters 23 and 24," the letter reads.
STEGA stated that they are convinced that the EU remains committed to supporting institutions in Montenegro in strengthening democracy, the rule of law and the protection of civil liberties.
"Therefore, we consider your attention to this matter to be of utmost importance. We thank you in advance for your understanding and hope that you will arrange an appointment for the interview as soon as possible."
With respect,
"DISCIPLINE," the letter concludes.
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