Thousands of Montenegrins rallied in protest after a mass shooting on New Year’s Day claimed 12 lives, demanding the resignations of top security officials.
The tragedy unfolded in Cetinje when a 45-year-old man, following a bar brawl, retrieved a gun from his home and opened fire, killing four people at the bar and eight others across various locations before taking his own life.
Chants of “Resignations” and “Killers” echoed through dual protests in the capital Podgorica and Cetinje. Outside the Interior Ministry in Podgorica, demonstrators called for Interior Minister Danilo Šaranović and Deputy Prime Minister for Security and Defense Aleksa Bečić to step down.
“You failed to protect us, so resign!” said Milo Perović, a representative of a student-led group that organized the rallies.
Earlier, hundreds in Cetinje held 12 minutes of silence for the victims in a solemn display of mourning. The massacre has sparked renewed scrutiny of Montenegro’s security apparatus, particularly after a similar incident in August 2022, where 10 people, including two children, were killed in a mass shooting in Cetinje.
Residents have accused authorities of mishandling security and doing too little to address gun violence, a pervasive issue in the Balkan nation. While police claim the latest shooting by Aco Martinović, who had a history of violent behavior and illegal weapons possession, was unpredictable, the incident has raised questions about the country’s approach to gun ownership.
In response to public outrage, Montenegrin authorities proposed stricter gun control laws, including measures to curb illegal weapons. Over the weekend, police raided multiple locations, seizing 20 weapons, over 500 rounds of ammunition, and explosives. Protesters demanded further actions, including the destruction of illegal firearms, high taxes on gun ownership, and a moratorium on new gun licenses.
The tragedy and subsequent protests underscore rising concerns about violence and divisions within Montenegrin society, as well as the readiness of state institutions to ensure public safety.
