Podgorica mayor faces criminal charges

A criminal complaint will be filed against Podgorica Mayor Miomir Mugosa, suspected of physically assaulting a pair of journalists. Mugosa denied the allegations when he, along with his son and driver, were questioned by police on Wednesday evening in the Montenegrin capital. Podgorica mayor faces criminal charges Podgorica daily Vijesti's deputy Editor-in-Chief Mihailo Jovovic, and photographer Boris Pejovic reported the attack against them. Mugosa's son Miljan, employed with Montenegro's diplomatic service, has been recalled by the country's foreign ministry "to urgent consultations", reports said on Friday. Montenegro's State Prosecution has filed a request for an investigation against Miljan Mugosa, but also against Mihailo Jovovic. Jovovic is suspected of inflicting grievous bodily harm to mayor's driver Dragan Radonjic, while Miljan Mugosa faces the same charges after his assault on Jovovic, the prosecution has announced. Vijesti published an article saying that both Mugosas and Radonjic attacked and battered Jovovic and Pejovic. The incident happened in the night between Wednesday and Thursday near Art Café in town, which, rumors are rife, is in fact owned by the younger Mugosa. The mayor stated that he was the one who was assaulted by unknown persons, and that previously he was often followed around Podgorica, "by persons who hid in bushes and entrances to buildings". Mugosa said that neither he nor his entourage could have known at the time of the incident what the identity of the persons in question was. He also expressed his regret over the injuries sustained by Jovovic, and offered his assistance. But Vijesti Editor-in-Chief Ljubisa Mitrovic said that the daily would file criminal charges against Miomir Mugosa, his son, and driver Radonjic, for inflicting serious injuries to the reporters and for threatening to use firearms. Vijesti reported that "someone during the fracas held a gun to Jovovic's chest". Pejovic claimed on Thursday that it was Miljan Mugosa who handled the weapon, and that it was "removed" on his father's orders. Also yesterday, reports suggested that the brawl took place as journalists were taking pictures of Mugosa's illegally parked car. On Friday, the South East Europe Media Organization (SEEMO) issued a statement saying it was alarmed with the incident. "This is not the first physical attack on a Vijesti staff member. In 2007, Zeljko Ivanovic, co-owner of the daily, was assaulted by men wielding sticks as he left a restaurant in the center of Podgorica. Vijesti is well known for its investigative reporting and critical coverage of the government," the statement read.

Podgorica mayor faces criminal charges

Podgorica daily Vijesti's deputy Editor-in-Chief Mihailo Jovović, and photographer Boris Pejović reported the attack against them.

Mugoša's son Miljan, employed with Montenegro's diplomatic service, has been recalled by the country's foreign ministry "to urgent consultations", reports said on Friday.

Montenegro's State Prosecution has filed a request for an investigation against Miljan Mugoša, but also against Mihailo Jovović.

Jovović is suspected of inflicting grievous bodily harm to mayor's driver Dragan Radonjić, while Miljan Mugoša faces the same charges after his assault on Jovović, the prosecution has announced.

Vijesti published an article saying that both Mugošas and Radonjić attacked and battered Jovović and Pejović.

The incident happened in the night between Wednesday and Thursday near Art Café in town, which, rumors are rife, is in fact owned by the younger Mugoša.

The mayor stated that he was the one who was assaulted by unknown persons, and that previously he was often followed around Podgorica, "by persons who hid in bushes and entrances to buildings".

Mugoša said that neither he nor his entourage could have known at the time of the incident what the identity of the persons in question was.

He also expressed his regret over the injuries sustained by Jovović, and offered his assistance.

But Vijesti Editor-in-Chief Ljubiša Mitrović said that the daily would file criminal charges against Miomir Mugoša, his son, and driver Radonjić, for inflicting serious injuries to the reporters and for threatening to use firearms.

Vijesti reported that "someone during the fracas held a gun to Jovović's chest". Pejović claimed on Thursday that it was Miljan Mugoša who handled the weapon, and that it was "removed" on his father's orders.

Also yesterday, reports suggested that the brawl took place as journalists were taking pictures of Mugoša's illegally parked car.

On Friday, the South East Europe Media Organization (SEEMO) issued a statement saying it was alarmed with the incident.

"This is not the first physical attack on a Vijesti staff member. In 2007, Željko Ivanović, co-owner of the daily, was assaulted by men wielding sticks as he left a restaurant in the center of Podgorica. Vijesti is well known for its investigative reporting and critical coverage of the government," the statement read.