In absentia: Two Russian intel officers sentenced over 2016 coup attempt in Montenegro


13 persons, including two Russian intelligence officers and two opposition politicians, have been sentenced on May, 9 over a 2016 election day plot aimed at toppling Montenegro’s government, killing the prime minister and bringing a pro-Russian alliance to power, news agency Reuters reports.

Photo: Stevo Vasiljevic/REUTERS/Forum

On 16 October 2016, the accused planned to attack state institutions and kill then-Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic, the verdict says.

“The two Russian nationals, identified in court as Eduard Shishmakov and Vladimir Popov and described as Russia’s military intelligence officers, were sentenced in absentia to jail terms of 15 and 12 years respectively. Moscow has repeatedly dismissed accusations about their role as absurd,” the article reads.

The plotters wanted to prevent Montenegro from joining NATO, which it did in June 2017. The country is also seeking to accede to the European Union.

Pro-Russian opposition politicians Andrija Mandic and Milan Knezevic received five-year jail terms each.

Video
Chechnya strongman named in Montenegro coup case
2017.11.29 15:08

belsat.eu

TWITTER