Montenegrin Parliament Rejects Dismissal of Speaker Over Mladić Condolences

The Parliament of Montenegro rejected a motion to dismiss its Speaker, Andrija Mandić. Mandić had previously sent condolences regarding convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić. Numerous civil society organizations condemned this parliamentary decision. They stated that the ruling majority showed disrespect toward war victims. They also warned that an EU candidate country must not allow its leaders to honor individuals convicted of genocide.

Civil rights groups criticized the ruling Europe Now Movement. Lawmakers from that party avoided the debate rather than defending democratic values. Activists also urged minority parties to stop supporting the governing coalition. They stressed that parties cannot condemn genocide while keeping in power officials who glorify its perpetrators.

The groups also condemned lawmaker Milan Knežević. Knežević praised Mladić during a live broadcast and displayed graphic photographs of decapitated victims. Activists called this display unacceptable and deeply offensive to the families of victims. They noted that the Hague Tribunal confirmed both the crimes against Serbs and the genocide in Srebrenica. The organizations called on the State Prosecutor's Office to investigate Knežević, noting that Montenegrin law forbids the denial of established war crimes.