Đukanović informed of assassination plot against him

(Patria) - Former President of Montenegro, Milo Đukanović, has informed Montenegrin authorities that he received information about an assassination plot against him, "Vijesti" was told by his cabinet.

The Police Directorate told "Vijesti" late last night that they do not have data indicating planned activities that would be aimed at endangering the security of former President Milo Đukanović.

"In accordance with Article 18 of the Law on the President of Montenegro, upon leaving office, the President is entitled to permanent personal security in accordance with the security assessment determined by the competent authority, in accordance with the law. In accordance with positive regulations, the National Security Agency is responsible for preparing security assessment reports on endangerment," the Police Directorate stated.

The National Security Agency did not respond to "Vijesti's" questions about this.

"The former president received the said information from certain international officials from the intelligence community and informed state bodies about this information," Đukanović's cabinet responded to the question of whether anyone from the security sector had informed him that his security was endangered, or that an assassination was being prepared against him.

It was not answered who conveyed this information to Đukanović and when.

A source close to Đukanović said that a high-ranking foreign military official from Kosovo informed him that an organized criminal group from a neighboring country is allegedly planning to carry out an assassination, in collusion with the security services of another neighboring country.

Responding to the question of whether Đukanović's security had been increased, his cabinet stated that it had been reduced.

"Changes in security during that period occurred in that the security at the former President's residence during the day shift was removed".

They also pointed out that Montenegrin security services had not invited Đukanović, nor the coordinator of his security, for a conversation to point out the potential danger.

"There was no initiative for a conversation from representatives of the security services," Đukanović's cabinet stated.

The President of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), Danijel Živković, at today's press conference regarding the verdict in the state coup case delivered yesterday, commented on this information, among other things.

When asked by journalists whether the DPS was aware of the information that an assassination was being prepared against the former president and long-time leader of that party, Živković answered affirmatively, adding that he could not provide more details at this moment.

“I believe that ANB and the competent authorities will release more detailed information,” Živković stated.

(Nevenea Kovačević, correspondent from Podgorica)