Dusko Markovic

Prime Minister of Montenegro, Zdravko Krivokapi, could decide on the election of the President of the Administrative Court at the session of the Judicial Council on February 25, several lawyers told Vijesti yesterday, while the Judicial Council did not provide an answer whether this could be disputable.

Special Prosecutor Milivoje Katnic (centre) at a press conference in Podgorica. Photo: PR Centar.

"A case was established at the Special State Prosecutor's Office and a pre-investigation process has been launched. More information and data cannot be disclosed in order to protect the criminal proceedings," the Special Prosecutor's Office told BIRN.

Supporters of so-called patriotic organisations in Montenegro protested on Monday in the capital Podgorica against the new government's proposals to change the hotly disputed Freedom of Religion law, erasing all elements opposed by the powerful Serbian Orthodox Church.

New Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapic (L) and former PM Dusko Markovic (D) at a meeting in Podgorica. Photo: Government of Montenegro

With four political blocs still working to create a new government in the wake of the end-August election, DPS Prime Minister Dusko Markovic has put his signature to a string of new hires, drawing fire from civil society groups that say such posts should only be filled by the incoming government. Some say the recruitment drive lacks any legal basis.

Montenegrin Prime Minister Dusko Markovic announced this morning that he and Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic recently proposed to the Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) Amfilohije to suspend the application of the Law on Freedom of Religion until the Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights rule their decision, but that the

Man wearing a protection mask in the capital, Podgorica, Montenegro. Photo: BIRN/Samir Kajosevic

On Friday it said it would consider the appeal brought by the local NGO Civil Alliance against the decision to publish the names of people undergoing self-isolation, which the alliance said violated their constitutional right to privacy.

The vandalised monument at Ravni Laz near Podgorica. Photo: Civic Action.

Last night, Montenegro became the second country in Europe to officially report they are free of active COVID-19 cases.

Montenegro has now joined the Faroe Islands the only two European countries to have zero active cases of the coronavirus.

The government of Montenegro made the announcement publicly last night on their official Twitter account.

Police and custom officers on Montenegrin border. Photo: Government of Montenegro

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic described the decision as a "ridiculous and senseless move", N1 TV reported.