A court in Podgorica has jailed a five more citizens of Serbia over an alleged coup plot during Montenegro's October election -- the latest such sentences in a case that Montenegrin authorities say was linked to Russia.
The five struck a deal with prosecutors to receive five month sentences in exchange for pleading guilty, as another three of their compatriots did in February.
Montenegro's state prosecutor has alleged that the plot included a plan to assassinate then Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic on October 16 in an attempt to take over the government and derail its bid to join NATO.
In a statement, the prosecutor on March 8 said: "Five citizens of Serbia admitted to being part of a criminal organization whose plan was to break into the parliament of Montenegro violently," with the aim of seizing it.
Authorities have accused "Russian nationalists" of orchestrating the alleged plot, saying pro-Moscow Serbs were hired to carry it out.
Montenegrin prosecutors suspect 25 people, mostly Serbian citizens, of links to the alleged coup.
They also have launched a manhunt for two Russians who are on the run.
The suspects include two leading pro-Russia lawmakers from Montenegro's opposition Democratic Front (DF), Andrija Mandic and Milan Knezevic.
Their parliamentary immunity was lifted in February so that they could face charges.
Mandic and Knezevic have repeatedly denied being involved in a coup plot.
They claim the allegations of a plot are politically motivated.
They have also denied knowing any of the sentenced Serbs.
Montenegro hopes to join NATO later in 2017.
Russia opposes NATO's further enlargement in the Balkans and says membership for Montenegro would be a "provocation."
Montenegro Jails Five More Serbs Over Alleged Coup Plot
Related
Editors' Picks
Top Trending
1
Putin Sends Signals To The West On Ukraine Ahead Of Trump's New Term
2Kyiv Says It Broke Up Russian Spy Network Targeting F-16 Fighter Data
3Ukraine Hits Kazan Buildings In Latest Display Of Drone Power
4Russia Moving Military Assets To Africa After Syria Setback
5What Would The Russian Capture Of Pokrovsk Mean For The Ukraine War?
6The Moment A Russian General Was Killed By A Scooter Bomb In Moscow
7'They Look Tense': Photographer Describes Scenes At Russian Base In Syria
8U.S., U.K. Say Medvedev's Comment Calling NATO Officials 'Legitimate Targets' Irresponsible
9Russian Uranium Stake In Kazakhstan Sold To China Amid Western Sanctions Risk
10Bolstered By North Korean Troops, Russia Presses Attacks in Kursk Region
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.
