Prostitution Claims Shake Montenegrin Minister

Montenegrin Interior Minister Rasko Konjevic on Wednesday denied allegations that he has used prostitutes, calling it a "hideous lie".

At a press conference on Wednesday, Konjevic said he had filed charges with the Special Prosecutor, Milivoje Katnic, after finding out that police in the anti-organised crime department in co-operation with criminals and the media were preparing to discredit his reputation.

"It is clear that organized crime and their tentacles in the police and the media were preparing to discredit me," Konjevic said.

Media reports said the minister was accused by a police officer, Djoko Golubovic, who claimed that Konjevic had been "visiting prostitutes over a long period".

Golubovic was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of misuse of official position and a court ordered him into three days of custody.

The police officer defended himself by saying that he only repeated what he was told when interrogating a suspect arrested in police actions to break up prostitution rings.

In the last two months, police have conducted several operations against prostitution, which is illegal in Montenegro and involves harsh prison sentences.

In a police action named "Doll" in late August, Zeljka Rolovic from the resort town of Kotor was arrested on suspicion of soliciting organising a prostitution ring which included several women.

She is suspected of arranging and organizing sexual services in "hotels, villas, boats and other locations" in towns on the coast for the purpose of financial gain.

Photographs of Rolovic from her numerous journeys around the world, in luxury hotels and attending lavish parties on the Montenegrin coast, have since flooded the media.

Reportedly,...