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45 Turks detained: 'Urgent' decision from that country! Visa-free entry for Turkish citizens suspended

Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić announced that the visa exemption for Turkish citizens will be temporarily suspended. The decision follows the stabbing of a 25-year-old Montenegrin citizen in Podgorica and the subsequent detention of 45 Turkish citizens. It was reported that while the individuals involved in the attack were taken into custody by police, an angry crowd was heard chanting racist slogans against Turks following the incident.

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Montenegro, one of the most preferred holiday destinations for Turkish citizens, has made a striking decision in the middle of the night.

In the country, which is progressing in its European Union accession process and has attracted the interest of many Turkish investors in recent years, the era of visa-free entry is coming to an end.

PRIME MINISTER SPAJIC ANNOUNCED

Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic made the following statement on the X platform:

"Tomorrow, under an urgent procedure, we will adopt a decision on the temporary suspension of the visa-free regime for citizens of the Republic of Turkey.

"In order to preserve economic activity and good bilateral relations, intensive discussions will be initiated in the coming period to find the model most suitable for our mutual interests within the spirit of good cooperation and alliance with the Republic of Turkey."

 

 

TENSE NIGHT IN PODGORICA: OPERATION AGAINST TURKISH CITIZENS

According to reports in the Montenegrin press, police teams identified and detained two Turkish citizens last night in connection with the stabbing of a 25-year-old individual identified as MJ in Podgorica. It was also reported that 45 other Turkish citizens, deemed to be linked to various other incidents, were detained.

In a statement made by the Police Directorate (UP), it was stated that public order was disrupted shortly after midnight at an entertainment venue in the Zabjelo neighborhood "as a result of a fight involving multiple people, where one person was stabbed in the chest and arms."

The statement further added, "The legal classification of the act in question will be determined and potential liability will be assessed following additional measures and procedures to be carried out by the police and the prosecutor's office."

The UP announced that due to violent incidents involving Turkish citizens temporarily staying in Podgorica over the last 24 hours and various public order violations occurring in different areas, the "Center" Regional Security Center, the Border Police Sector, and the "Center" Regional Border Police Center teams carried out coordinated operations, resulting in the detention of approximately 45 Turkish citizens.

DEPORTATION PROCEDURES INITIATED

Authorities stated, "Police Directorate officers will evaluate the reasons for these individuals' presence in the country, the justification and legality of this stay, as well as their roles in the violent incidents that occurred during their stay; as a result, criminal proceedings, cancellation of residency, and deportation of foreigners will be applied. In accordance with the Montenegrin Law on Foreigners, the Police Directorate will resolutely continue inspections of foreigners in the country, initiate criminal proceedings against those who do not comply with the laws, and will cancel their residency and deport them in a short time."

REACTION ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Footage shared on social media showed the moments when the detained individuals were escorted into vehicles by police.

 

It was also alleged that an angry group chanted racist slogans, saying "Kill the Turks."

90-DAY VISA EXEMPTION ENDED

Under the Visa Exemption Agreement in force between the two countries, the provision stated: "Holders of diplomatic, special, service, and ordinary passports who are citizens of Turkey and Montenegro may enter each other's country without a visa for a period not exceeding ninety (90) days from the date of first entry within every six months, or for the purpose of transit."

Additionally, Turkish citizens entering the country by road were able to carry out tourist or transit travel for up to 90 days within 180 days with their passports valid for at least 6 months.