34 hurt in Podgorica violence

34 persons – 23 policemen and 11 civilians – were injured tonight in Podgorica, none seriously, Beta reports. The Montenegrin capital is calm after incidents that took place as an anti-government rally ended. 34 hurt in Podgorica violence The protesters first broke through a protective railing near the Montenegrin assembly building, after which police used tear gas. Firecrackers and stones were then pelted at the officers. The scene in downtown Podgorica was at one point that of rioting, while reporters described hearing shots, but could not specify if those came from firecrackers or tear gas canisters being fired. Tanjug reported that several people were wounded, while scores were arrested. This news agency also said police used rubber bullets to disperse the crowd. A large number of regular and special units police officers were blocking the area, while a police helicopter was flying over the town. Organizers, four opposition parties, were appealing to the crowd to disperse in peace as the rioting took place. Police, which said it has decided to bann a new rally called for Oct. 16, "because of tonight's destructive behavior", said it detained 28 people. The unrest came after some 10,000 people gathered in the Montenegrin capital to demonstrate against their country's decision to recognize Kosovo Albanians' unilateral declaration of independence. SNP ticket MP Vasilije Lalosevic opened the rally by reading out a number of demands to be sent to the government, which was met with the crowd's strong cheers of support. The demonstrators are asking that the government annuls its recognition of Kosovo by Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 11:00 CET, with parliament simultaneously announcing a referendum on the same issue. If these demands are rejected, Lalosevic said, the Montenegrin president must call early elections, to be held by the end of this year. The protesters arrived carrying Serb flags, and banners that read, "Kosovo, NATO state of horrors", and, "It's a sin to keep quiet about Serbs' troubles". They were also displaying photographs of the kidnapped and murdered Kosovo Serbs. Beta said that participants in the rally were chanting insults aimed at Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic, whom they accuse of treason. The town's main streets were blocked this afternoon, with Montenegrin police special units guarding government buildings and foreign embassies. The gathering was organized by the Serb List, the Socialists People's Party, the People's Party, and the Democratic Serb Party. The rally today was preceded by protests in several Montenegrin cities during the past several days, organized by drivers circling the streets in their cars, led by opposition leaders, which went without incidents. Yesterday the Montenegrin police directorate chief, Veselin Veljovic, said that the organizers would be responsible for the security at the rally. He also warned that "possible inspirators of riots" must be "identified and prevented in time". This morning, Montenegrin police arrested Simo Spasic, who heads the Association of the Families of the Kidnapped and Murdered Kosovo Serbs, but he was set free during the day. After he left the police station where he was held, Spasic told Beta that he believes he was only released thanks to reports about his arrest and pressure from the media. "They kept me for four and a half hours, they provoked me, and wanted to know what I thought about Serbs in Kosovo institutions, about Milo Djukanovic, and Montenegrins," he said. Spasic added that he was detained because the Montenegrin police saw the framed photographs of the missing Kosovo Serbs and Montenegrins, which he had in his car, as propaganda material. Podgorica on Monday evening (FoNet)

34 hurt in Podgorica violence

The protesters first broke through a protective railing near the Montenegrin assembly building, after which police used tear gas. Firecrackers and stones were then pelted at the officers.

The scene in downtown Podgorica was at one point that of rioting, while reporters described hearing shots, but could not specify if those came from firecrackers or tear gas canisters being fired.

Tanjug reported that several people were wounded, while scores were arrested. This news agency also said police used rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.

A large number of regular and special units police officers were blocking the area, while a police helicopter was flying over the town.

Organizers, four opposition parties, were appealing to the crowd to disperse in peace as the rioting took place.

Police, which said it has decided to bann a new rally called for Oct. 16, "because of tonight's destructive behavior", said it detained 28 people.

The unrest came after some 10,000 people gathered in the Montenegrin capital to demonstrate against their country's decision to recognize Kosovo Albanians' unilateral declaration of independence.

SNP ticket MP Vasilije Lalošević opened the rally by reading out a number of demands to be sent to the government, which was met with the crowd's strong cheers of support.

The demonstrators are asking that the government annuls its recognition of Kosovo by Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 11:00 CET, with parliament simultaneously announcing a referendum on the same issue.

If these demands are rejected, Lalošević said, the Montenegrin president must call early elections, to be held by the end of this year.

The protesters arrived carrying Serb flags, and banners that read, "Kosovo, NATO state of horrors", and, "It's a sin to keep quiet about Serbs' troubles".

They were also displaying photographs of the kidnapped and murdered Kosovo Serbs.

Beta said that participants in the rally were chanting insults aimed at Prime Minister Milo Đukanović, whom they accuse of treason.

The town's main streets were blocked this afternoon, with Montenegrin police special units guarding government buildings and foreign embassies.

The gathering was organized by the Serb List, the Socialists People's Party, the People's Party, and the Democratic Serb Party.

The rally today was preceded by protests in several Montenegrin cities during the past several days, organized by drivers circling the streets in their cars, led by opposition leaders, which went without incidents.

Yesterday the Montenegrin police directorate chief, Veselin Veljović, said that the organizers would be responsible for the security at the rally.

He also warned that "possible inspirators of riots" must be "identified and prevented in time".

This morning, Montenegrin police arrested Simo Spasić, who heads the Association of the Families of the Kidnapped and Murdered Kosovo Serbs, but he was set free during the day.

After he left the police station where he was held, Spasić told Beta that he believes he was only released thanks to reports about his arrest and pressure from the media.

"They kept me for four and a half hours, they provoked me, and wanted to know what I thought about Serbs in Kosovo institutions, about Milo Đukanović, and Montenegrins," he said.

Spasić added that he was detained because the Montenegrin police saw the framed photographs of the missing Kosovo Serbs and Montenegrins, which he had in his car, as propaganda material.