2016 Montenegrin coup attempt allegations

President Milo Đukanović, whose DPS ruled the country for three decades, established a hybrid regime through alleged strongman tactics. Here, he is pictured after signing Montenegro's NATO accession protocol.

A coup d'état in the capital of Montenegro, Podgorica was allegedly planned and prepared for 16 October 2016, the day of the parliamentary election, according to Montenegro's special prosecutor.[1] In September 2017, the trial of those indicted in connection with the plot began in the High Court in Podgorica, the indictees including leaders of the Montenegrin opposition and two alleged Russian intelligence agents. Russian government officials denied any involvement.[2][3] In 2019, the Higher Court found the accused guilty of plotting to commit ″terrorist acts″, also of "undermine the constitutional order of Montenegro" and first instance sentenced 13 people. In February 2021, the appellate court annulled the first instance verdict on all counts of the indictment.[4]

  1. ^ Bajrović, Reuf; Garčević, Vesko; Kramer, Richard. "Hanging by a Thread: Russia's Policy of Destabilization in Montenegro" (PDF). Foreign Policy Research Institute.
  2. ^ "Sve o aferi državni udar".
  3. ^ "U Crnoj Gori nastavljeno suđenje za državni udar". Al Jazeera (September 2017).
  4. ^ Ukinuta presuda za 'državni udar' u Crnoj Gori, DPS tvrdi rezultat pritiska na sud, Slobodna Evropa, 5 February 2021