Thousands Protest in Montenegro Demanding Security Officials Resign After Shooting
Montenegro Rocked by Second Deadly Shooting in Three Years, Sparking Calls for Resignations
PODGORICA, Montenegro – Thousands of Montenegrins took to the streets Sunday, demanding the resignation of top security officials following a horrific shooting that left 12 people dead, including two children. The tragedy, the second mass shooting to devastate the historic town of cetinje in less than three years, has ignited outrage and fueled concerns about gun violence and goverment accountability.
Chanting “Resignations” and “Killers,” protesters gathered outside the Interior Ministry building in the capital, Podgorica, calling for Interior Minister Danilo Šaranović and Deputy Prime Minister for Security and Defense Aleksa Bečić to step down.”you failed to protect us, so resign!” shouted Milo Perović, a student leader who helped organize the rally.
Earlier in the day, hundreds of mourners held a somber 12-minute silence in Cetinje, honoring the victims of Wednesday’s massacre.The shooting, which stemmed from a bar brawl, saw a 45-year-old gunman return home to retrieve a weapon before opening fire at the bar and several other locations. He ultimately took his own life.
The tragedy has reignited painful memories of the August 2022 shooting in Cetinje, where another gunman killed 10 people, including two children, before being shot by a bystander.
Many Montenegrins believe authorities mishandled the situation and haven’t done enough to address the underlying issues, including the proliferation of illegal weapons, since the first massacre.
“We came here looking for answers,” said Maja Gardašević, a protest organizer in Cetinje. “Why did a massacre happen in Cetinje for the second time? Why is no one responsible? Why is it so hard to resign?”
The government has responded swiftly, announcing new strict gun laws and launching raids that have resulted in the confiscation of weapons, ammunition, and explosives. Though, protesters are demanding more decisive action, including a ”demilitarization” of the population through stricter gun control measures and a moratorium on new gun licenses.
The recent shootings have exposed deep fissures in Montenegrin society, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address gun violence and ensure the safety of its citizens.