Montenegrins protest before government seeking responsibility for the tragedy in Cetinje

Several hundred Montenegrins have protested Friday near the Montenegro Government building in Podgorica, seeking responsibility from the political leadership of the security system following the 12 people's murder in Cetinje on January 1st.

Aco Martinovic killed twelve people, including two children, and injured four others on January 1st in Cetinje. A few hours later, he committed suicide.

The suspect in multiple homicides and injuries, Aco Martinovic, has attempted suicide and has passed away while transporting to the hospital.

Two boys between the ages of 8 and 13 were among those killed.

The demonstrators initially remained silent to honour the slain and the wounded. They hung 12 roses on the metal fence around the courtyard of the Government headquarters in Podgorica, symbolising the number of those killed.

Later, expressing their disappointment over the authorities' actions that evening, they cheered “Where the ex on January 1st?”, “Where is Daniku Danilo Sharanovic [internal minister] that doesn't show up?”, “is the citizens' fault?

You should be in Cetinje, not saving us here”, the citizens cheered, alluding that Martinovi had not been captured six hours after the murder was carried out.

They have even cheered on the names of guys killed “Jovan” and “Vukan”.

Part of the crowd tried to break the fence on several occasions.

We have children and we fear that someone will repeat something similar. Who are you protecting, we are not armed and we don't have illegal weapons”, Dusan Drakiq from Podgorica said, addressing police guarding the government building.

Drakiq thus referred to police claims, which on January 1st announced that the weapon Martinovic carried out was “without permission”.

Drakiq asked the authorities to move on, stressing that “otherwise this tragedy will knock us at the door of all”.

On Thursday, citizens in several Montenegrin cities paid their respects to Cetinje victims by lighting candles.

The murder in Cetinje was the second multiple in this city in the last two years. In August 2022, Vuk Borilovic killed 10 people and injured 6 others before committing suicide.

Due to the murder in Cetinje, two protests in Cetinje and Podgorica in front of the Ministry of Internal Affairs have been warned Sunday on January 5th. / REL