PODGORICA (Sputnik) — At least 39 police officers and civilians were injured in the Montenegrin capital of Podgorica after police started breaking up an anti-government rally, Montenegrin Interior Minister said Sunday.
On Saturday, police broke up the rally using tear gas against the protesters after some of them started throwing stones and fireworks at the police officers near the country’s parliament.
Rasko Konjevic said in a press conference that at least 15 police officers and 24 civilians were injured during the clashes. He added that the majority of civilians suffered from chemical agents the “police had to use to respond to the violence occurred near the Montenegrin parliament.”
Riot police form a line with an armored vehicle during clashes with protesters in front of the parliament building in Podgorica, Montenegro, October 24, 2015. Police in Montenegro on Saturday fired teargas for the second successive weekend to break up around 5,000 protesters who marched on parliament to demand the resignation of veteran Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic and snap elections. REUTERS/Stevo Vasiljevic
Riot police protect themselvs with shields during clashes with protesters in front of the parliament building in Podgorica, Montenegro, October 24, 2015. Police in Montenegro on Saturday fired teargas for the second successive weekend to break up around 5,000 protesters who marched on parliament to demand the resignation of veteran Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic and snap elections. REUTERS/Stevo Vasiljevic
Demonstrators throw flares at police during protests in front of the parliament building in Podgorica, Montenegro, October 24, 2015. Police in Montenegro on Saturday fired teargas for the second successive weekend to break up around 5,000 protesters who marched on parliament to demand the resignation of veteran Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic and snap elections. REUTERS/Stevo Vasiljevic
Protesters remove barricades during clashes with police in front of the parliament building in Podgorica, Montenegro, October 24, 2015. Police in Montenegro on Saturday fired teargas for the second successive weekend to break up around 5,000 protesters who marched on parliament to demand the resignation of veteran Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic and snap elections. REUTERS/Stevo Vasiljevic
Protesters and journalists run from tear gas released by the police in front of the parliament building in Podgorica, Montenegro, October 24, 2015. Police in Montenegro on Saturday fired teargas for the second successive weekend to break up around 5,000 protesters who marched on parliament to demand the resignation of veteran Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic and snap elections. REUTERS/Stevo Vasiljevic
Riot police form a line with an armored vehicle during clashes with protesters in front of the parliament building in Podgorica, Montenegro, October 24, 2015. Police in Montenegro on Saturday fired teargas for the second successive weekend to break up around 5,000 protesters who marched on parliament to demand the resignation of veteran Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic and snap elections. REUTERS/Stevo Vasiljevic
Riot police protect themselvs with shields during clashes with protesters in front of the parliament building in Podgorica, Montenegro, October 24, 2015. Police in Montenegro on Saturday fired teargas for the second successive weekend to break up around 5,000 protesters who marched on parliament to demand the resignation of veteran Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic and snap elections. REUTERS/Stevo Vasiljevic
Demonstrators throw flares at police during protests in front of the parliament building in Podgorica, Montenegro, October 24, 2015. Police in Montenegro on Saturday fired teargas for the second successive weekend to break up around 5,000 protesters who marched on parliament to demand the resignation of veteran Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic and snap elections. REUTERS/Stevo Vasiljevic
Protesters remove barricades during clashes with police in front of the parliament building in Podgorica, Montenegro, October 24, 2015. Police in Montenegro on Saturday fired teargas for the second successive weekend to break up around 5,000 protesters who marched on parliament to demand the resignation of veteran Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic and snap elections. REUTERS/Stevo Vasiljevic
Protesters and journalists run from tear gas released by the police in front of the parliament building in Podgorica, Montenegro, October 24, 2015. Police in Montenegro on Saturday fired teargas for the second successive weekend to break up around 5,000 protesters who marched on parliament to demand the resignation of veteran Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic and snap elections. REUTERS/Stevo Vasiljevic
The rally was organized by the “Democratic front” opposition coalition. The protesters called for the resignation of the country's prime minister, Milo Djukanovic. They also aimed against Montenegro‘s NATO accession.
On October 18, Montenegro’s police had also used tear gas against demonstrations protesting against dispersion of the opposition campsite, which was staging an indefinite protest in front of the parliament.
