Clashes in Montenegro after prestigious award given to Montenegrin nation-denier

Citizens and police clashed on July 8 in Podgorica, during a protest against the awarding of the "13 July" prize to writer Beqir Vuković, who denies the Montenegrin nation and supports the Chetnik movement.

Police forces used chemical weapons and physically prevented demonstrators from entering the Gorica state villa, where the reception was held and the award was presented.

After almost three hours, the protest ended.

Director Danilo Marunović, who was leading the protesters, told those present that they will not stop there.

"Tonight, our police treated us brutally, like the worst criminals. This cannot end tonight," he said.

Police said that during the unauthorized gathering, organized by an informal citizens' group called "STEGA", its members were attacked and one of them was injured.

The police warned that they will identify and prosecute the perpetrators of the violence.

On several occasions, several hundred citizens attempted to break through the police cordon and reach the villa.

After the police used pepper spray twice, they threw eggs and stones at them.

The crowd chanted "Fascists", "Treason", "Mandić, fascist", "We must say no to fascists, anytime, anywhere" and sang the Montenegrin anthem.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalists in Podgorica report that some protesters had breathing problems due to the use of pepper spray, including the dean of the Faculty of Montenegrin Language and Literature, Aleksandar Radoman, who ended up in the hospital.

The “July 13” Award is awarded in honor of the Montenegrin Statehood Day to creators of works that represent the values ​​of Montenegro.

The anti-fascist uprising in Montenegro began on July 13, 1941.

For the protesters, it is unacceptable that the award - a symbol of anti-fascism - was given to Vuković, a supporter of the Chetnik movement, who collaborated with the fascists in World War II.

In his writings, Vuković has glorified Draža Mihailović, the Chetnik leader of World War II, saying that he was the “leader of the third Serbian uprising.”

He has also supported the policies of Andrija Mandic's pro-Russian Democratic Front, declaring that "they are the only truth in the cloudy political sky of Montenegro."

He also denied the Montenegrin nation, claiming that it was invented by the Comintern - the communist international founded in Moscow in 1919.

Alongside Vuković, the award was also won by graphic designer Velo Stanišić.

The awards were presented by the Speaker of the Parliament of Montenegro, Andrija Mandić.

"Your actions, dedication and successes are a symbol of what 'July 13' should be in the 21st century," said Mandic.

One of the three laureates, Miloš Karadaglic - world-renowned classical guitarist - refused to accept the award.

Montenegrin police reached their lowest point when they brutally attacked citizens in a peaceful protest against the shameful awarding of the “July 13” prize, the opposition Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) said.

"This dark time will pass, but it will be remembered who was a servant of Andrija Mandic and the bosses of Belgrade, and who defended a civic and modern Montenegro," said the DPS.

The Faculty of Montenegrin Language and Literature sent a letter to the ambassadors of the European Union, the United States, and the United Kingdom to Montenegro, expressing deep concern about the "excessive use of force" by the police during the protest.

The letter states that the dean of that faculty was injured during the protest./ REL