Azerbaijani national freed in Montenegro, legal proceedings pending

An Azerbaijani national, who was previously detained in Montenegro in connection with an incident in the capital, Podgorica, has been released, diplomatic sources stated.

“He is free and will defend himself in court,” the source stated, adding that the date for the court hearing has not yet been scheduled, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

Earlier reports in international media indicated that a confrontation occurred between a group of Azerbaijani and Turkish citizens and local residents in Montenegro, resulting in the detention of several individuals by local authorities.

The Azerbaijani diplomatic mission in Podgorica has confirmed that discussions with Montenegrin law enforcement are ongoing to address the situation and ensure proper legal procedures are followed.

To recall, police in Montenegro have detained dozens of Turkish and Azerbaijani nationals following a weekend of violence in Podgorica, sparked by the stabbing of a local man by a group of Turks.

Authorities said the stabbing, which occurred late on October 25 after an exchange of insults, left the victim with non-life-threatening injuries. The incident prompted retaliatory attacks on October 26, with locals vandalising cars with Turkish number plates and forcing some Turkish citizens to seek refuge in a casino.

President Jakov Milatović has appealed for calm, while Prime Minister Milojko Spajić announced the temporary suspension of Montenegro’s visa-free regime for Turkish citizens.

By Vafa Guliyeva