Two of the three individuals arrested last weekend following a visit to the Visoki Dečani Monastery are members of the Montenegrin Armed Forces, confirmed Montenegro’s Minister of Defense Dragan Krapović.
Krapović stated that he was made aware of the incident primarily through media coverage, noting that the two individuals arrested have been part of the military for several years—one since 2011 and the other since 2022.
Krapović described them as „exemplary soldiers,“ with their superiors having praised their conduct.
„Both of them have long been in the system, and based on the assessments of their commanders, they are considered good and model members of the Montenegrin Army,“ Krapović said, reports Vijesti.
He added that both soldiers are currently on medical leave.
The Minister emphasized that the investigation is still ongoing and that no hasty decisions will be made.
Arrests and Legal Charges
The three men, all from Nikšić, were detained on Sunday after attending the religious observance at Visoki Dečani, a Serbian Orthodox monastery. The arrest followed the discovery of a controversial slogan, „Kosovo is Serbia,“ displayed on the license plate frame of their car.
After their arrest, the trio was initially held for 48 hours, and on Tuesday, a 30-day detention order was issued, with charges filed for inciting hatred and intolerance.
Attorney Jovana Filipović, representing one of the detained men, criticized the legal measures taken against her client, arguing that the charge of inciting hatred was unfounded. Filipović also revealed that the controversial slogan on the license plate frame was covered by another sticker, and it remains unclear who removed it.
Political and Religious Reactions
The arrest sparked immediate criticism from various political figures and groups within Montenegro, including Nikšić’s mayor, Marko Kovačević, who condemned the use of force, emphasizing that such actions „are never beneficial, regardless of their origin.“
MP of the United Montenegro, Vladimir Dobričanin, labeled the arrest as „Kurti’s terror“ designed to deter Serbs from visiting their holy sites.
The Serbian List strongly condemned the actions taken against the men, as did representatives of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro.
The Bishopric of Budimlja and Nikšić called on Montenegro’s authorities to intervene, demanding the release of the men and criticizing the detention as „senseless and futile.“
They added that the message on the license plate frame was an expression of faith, integral to the spirit of every pilgrim visiting the Visoki Dečani Monastery.
If Montenegro does not stand up for its citizens in this matter, it will be seen as a sign that the country has abandoned its sovereignty and its responsibility to protect the rights and freedoms of its citizens, no matter where they are, the Bishopric warned.
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