Montenegro: President Milatović calls emergency security council meeting amid rising crime

Montenegro is grappling with a surge in violent crime, prompting President Jakov Milatović to convene an urgent meeting of the Defence and Security Council.

In a statement shared on the X platform, Milatović cited “escalating street violence” and “clan clashes” as the catalysts for this extraordinary session, which will be held as soon as legally possible. The meeting will include Council members, government security officials, and leaders from key institutions, such as the Montenegrin Police Directorate and the National Security Service.

Milatović emphasized the need for “a comprehensive assessment of the situation” and “decisive, immediate measures to safeguard public safety and order.” He reassured citizens that the state stands firmly behind them, committed to acting with strength and resolve.

The announcement follows a string of violent incidents linked to organised crime, as reported by Montenegrin media outlets like Vijesti and Pobjeda. These incidents stem from turf wars between criminal networks, notably the Kavački and Škaljarski clans, which have been locked in a deadly, years-long struggle for control over drug trafficking routes.

These groups, deeply entrenched in the Balkans’ criminal underworld, are involved in drug smuggling, cigarette trafficking, money laundering, and extortion, with Montenegro’s port of Bar serving as a key hub for international smuggling.

Police estimate that at least 20 organised crime groups operate in Montenegro, with the Kavački-Škaljarski feud claiming numerous lives, including gang members, innocent civilians, journalists, and law enforcement officers.

Analysts warn that failure to address this crisis effectively could destabilize institutions, tarnish Montenegro’s international reputation, and jeopardize its EU accession aspirations.

Public sentiment is polarized. Citizens are demanding stronger policing and decisive action against organised crime, but many fear that institutional efforts may fall short. Local media reports suggest that some political, judicial, and business figures may be complicit in protecting or enabling criminal networks, further eroding public trust.

Milatović’s call for action aims to signal a robust stand against lawlessness, but its success will depend on tangible outcomes at both operational and institutional levels. Beyond dismantling criminal networks, the government must restore confidence in the rule of law.

The international community is watching closely. As a NATO member since 2017 and a strategically important player in the Western Balkans, Montenegro’s stability is vital amid the EU’s push to counter Russian and Chinese influence through regional enlargement. The upcoming Security Council meeting will be pivotal, not only in curbing gang violence but also in shaping a broader strategy to strengthen institutions and society.

As Vijesti aptly stated, “impunity remains the most dangerous crime of all.” Montenegro stands at a crossroads, with its fight against organised crime serving as a critical test of its political maturity- one with far-reaching domestic and international implications.

Caption: Montenegro’s President Jakov Milatovic speaks during a joint meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda with the media at Villa Gorica in Podgorica, Montenegro, 23 June 2025. The Polish presidential couple began a working visit to Montenegro. EPA/Pawel Supernak