Times: Montenegro intends to request the arrest of a Russian citizen Shishmakova
MOSCOW, 27 Jun — RIA Novosti. British newspaper the Times claims that Montenegro intends to request the detention of the citizen of the Russian Federation Edward Shishmakova and charge him with the investigation of the coup attempt.
The newspaper calls the Russian “spy” and writes that “Montenegro intends to press charges” of plotting a coup to overthrow the Pro-Western government and to stop “a small Balkan country from joining NATO.”
The publication considers it unlikely that Moscow will give Shishmakova.
The Russian foreign Ministry has previously called the allegations about the involvement of the Russian Federation to the events in Montenegro unfounded.
On the voting day — October 16 of last year in Montenegro announced the arrest of 20 citizens of Serbia on suspicion of preparing a terrorist attack and a coup. According to prosecutors, the group was planning at the announcement of the election results to capture the Assembly and to “proclaim the victory of one political parties” and “to neutralize the Prime Minister of Montenegro.”
In December the Montenegrin authorities declared internationally wanted by Interpol of Russians Edward Shirokov and Vladimir Popov, as well as citizens of Serbia — Predrag of Bogicevica, Milos Jovanovic and Nimany of ristić on suspicion of plotting a coup. Spectaculator Republic reported that the suspects Shirokov and planning the murder of former Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic.
Earlier, the special Prosecutor of Montenegro Milivoje Catnic in a speech in Montenegrin broadcast the “First channel” (TV Prva) stated that some of the “Russian authorities” allegedly was involved in the coup attempt during the elections in the country in October last year to prevent the accession of Montenegro to NATO. According to him, such conclusions based on the testimony of defendants and their data conversations.
According to the latest statement of Kalnica, at the head of the group who planned the coup, the assassination of the then Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic and prevent the country’s entry into NATO, was the citizen of the Russian Federation Eduard Shirokov, whose real name Shishmakov.
According to the Prosecutor, the indictment in connection with the attempted coup will be ready by April 15. The process until recently was conducted against 23 people. After the removal last week of parliamentary immunity with the leaders of the Parliamentary front Andria Mandic and Milan Knežević, this number has increased to 25 persons.
Press Secretary of the President Dmitry Peskov declared that the accusations against Russia on the part of senior representatives of Montenegro is too serious without backup facts is irresponsible.