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Senior opposition figure in Montenegro is demanding Prime Minister Milojko Spajic resign after his government falsely implicated Turkish citizens in a stabbing incident and temporarily suspended visa-free travel with Türkiye.
Amina Cikotic, deputy leader of the Social Democratic Party, Montenegro's main opposition party, said the prime minister exploited fears for political gain and damaged the country's international reputation over an incident that authorities later confirmed had no connection to Turkish nationals.
"A prime minister has both a constitutional and political duty to calm society during crises rather than incite it," Cikotic told Anadolu Agency.
The controversy erupted in late October when Montenegrin media reported that Turkish citizens were involved in a knife attack in Podgorica, the capital. Spajic quickly announced on social media that visa-free travel for Turkish citizens would be temporarily suspended. The Podgorica High Court later released two detained individuals, confirming they had no connection to the incident.
Cikotic accused Spajic of fostering a xenophobic and Islamophobic atmosphere in recent days. "Instead of sending a message that individual incidents should not be attributed to Turkish or any other community, the government presented a perspective of fear and suspicion," she said.
The deputy leader said institutions failed to punish those actually responsible for the incident, while fear and hatred toward Turks and Muslims were stoked in the media. She called the suspension of visa-free travel contrary to Montenegro's fundamental values.
Cikotic said Montenegro must openly acknowledge its mistake and that the government should take necessary responsibility. "If it is said that Turkish citizens have no connection to the attack incident, then the atmosphere in recent days is a dangerous situation," she said.
"Türkiye and Montenegro have long-term, friendly and good partnership relations," Cikotic said. "We have strong economic, cultural and historical ties. Many Montenegrins live and study in Türkiye, or vice versa. I don't think a poorly made political decision will damage relations."
Despite her confidence in the bilateral relationship's resilience, Cikotic said Montenegro must take further steps. "Montenegro should apologize to Türkiye," she said. "The government should also withdraw the decision to temporarily suspend visa-free travel. Institutions should act on facts, not emotions. The government should resign for this unprecedented situation it caused."
She added that those spreading hate speech in Montenegro should also be punished.
"We need leaders who build bridges in Montenegro," Cikotic said. "That's exactly why I think Spajic should resign from his position. If we want to preserve the civilized character of this country, we must be able to say this clearly: Someone being Turkish, Muslim or foreign is not a problem."
The incident has strained relations between the two countries, which maintain significant economic and cultural connections. Many Montenegrin citizens pursue education and employment opportunities in Türkiye, while Türkiye represents an important foreign policy partner for the small Balkan nation.
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