The most significant form of revenge manifests in the results achieved in infrastructure, stated Milojko Spajić, the Prime Minister of Montenegro, responding to remarks made by former President Mila Đukanović regarding what he termed a new chapter in Montenegrin traditions of revenge.

“I wish to exact revenge on those who poorly governed the state in the past, so we can significantly improve our nation,” Spajić told journalists on April 24.

Đukanović led the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) for three decades and has served as Montenegro’s Prime Minister multiple times, as well as holding the presidency on two occasions.

The DPS lost power in the elections of August 2020.

In an interview aired on April 24 on Antena M, Đukanović claimed that “Montenegrin society is a society of avengers”.

He remarked that revenge is not exclusively a feature of Albanian communities, which are often associated with vendettas based on blood. In fact, this culture of revenge has persisted for over 200 years.

Consequently, he believes it is perilous when the primary political agenda after gaining power becomes revenge, indicating a lack of understanding that a line should be drawn under the Montenegrin practice of retribution.

“Because those who are currently taking action do not truly grasp that a new chapter of Montenegrin vengeance has begun, if they have thought about the consequences for others,” Đukanović stated.

When asked by journalists if he feared the “impact of retribution and arrest,” Đukanović expressed that the atmosphere in the country was very toxic, predicting that “Ćeranija” would continue its course in Montenegro.

He evaluated that publicly targeting certain individuals to humiliate them and creating “spectacles” during arrests dangerously misuses the detention institution within court proceedings.

Responding to inquiries about his support for a petition requesting the special prosecutor to allow the Freedom of Freedom with Medical Prosecutor due to alleged health violations, he noted that mutual detention was ordered for Katnić by the Special Prosecutor, who faces charges of abusing official position as part of a criminal organization.

Since his arrest on April 14, Katnić has been on a hunger strike.

Katnić’s accusations stem from a 2019 case involving a “coup,” where the first-instance court convicted leaders of the Pro- Democratic Front (DF), Andrija Mandić and Milan Knežević, to five years in prison, alongside their driver, two Russians, and eight Serbians.

After the DF came into power in August 2020, the Court of Appeals overturned that verdict in February 2021, which had imposed approximately 70 years of imprisonment on 13 defendants.

The case was referred back to a higher court for re-evaluation under a new Judicial Council. The legal proceedings are still ongoing.

Following the parliamentary elections in June 2023, Mandić was elected as the President of Parliament.

Strong Reactions to Đukanović’s Statements

Đukanović’s comments regarding the “Society of Avengers” elicited responses from the ruling Socialist People’s Party.

MP Slađana Kaluđerović urged judicial authorities to investigate whether there are “elements of criminal offenses that provoke national, racial, and religious hatred, social unrest, or intolerance, i.e., inciting panic and chaos.”

“Out of fear, those initiating ∆đukanović’s aggressive campaign, including parts of the media and organizations closely tied to the former regime against the Prosecutor’s Office and Special Prosecutor Vladimir Novović,” remarked Tihomir Dragaš from Spajić’s movement of Europe USA.

Vanja Ćalović Marković, director of the Non-Governmental Organization MANS, voiced concerns that Đukanović’s statements were “alarming,” particularly the term “man concerned for his freedom and property.”

These declarations usher Montenegrin society into a period of “dramatic radicalization of the DPS,” which still holds considerable power, as per Ćalović Marković’s commentary.

She further elaborated that the DPS maintains significant control over individuals within the National Security Agency, Police, Prosecutor’s Office, and the judiciary.

“It is evident that there are strong connections between sections of that party and organized crime structures,” said Zalic Marković.

MANS has historically accused Đukanović and the DPS in various cases, most of which have yet to see any judicial resolution. All allegations were forwarded to the Special Prosecutor’s Office, led by Milivoje Katnić, who dismissed them as unfounded.

On April 14, along with Katnić, Zoran Lazović, a former assistant police director responsible for combating organized crime, was also arrested.

Three days later, Jelena Perović, the director of the Agency for Prevention of Corruption, was arrested but later released to defend herself from outside custody.

Over the past two years, several other prominent figures have faced similar positions, including the former President of the Supreme Court Vesna Medenica, former Police Directors Veselin Veljović and Slavko Stojanović, and Katnić’s Associate in the Special Prosecutor’s Office Saša Čađenović, among others.

All faced allegations that, during their tenures, they safeguarded Đukanović and those close to the DPS party.

Đukanović ended his term as President of Montenegro on May 20, 2023, after losing the elections to Jakov Milatović. His party had been at the forefront since April 2023.

Previously, the DPS lost parliamentary elections in August 2020 after three decades of dominance.