Chants of "Turks out", pogroms in migrant shops, restrictive measures against foreigners: Montenegro has risen up against migrants. What has sparked the anger of local people against foreigners?
Police in Montenegro have arrested two foreigners, a Turk and an Azerbaijani, suspected of beating a 25-year-old man in the capital, Podgorica. After the arrest, angry citizens of the Balkan country organized protests, which included chants of "Death to the Turks!".
The authorities' response
A bar owned by a Turkish citizen was destroyed in the center of Podgorica. A car belonging to a Turkish company was set on fire, and groups of young men went around migrant shops and restaurants, chanting "Turks out!".
On Saturday evening, Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic announced the cancellation of the visa-free regime for Turkish citizens. In recent years, 13,000 people from Turkey have moved to Montenegro without having to apply for a visa. The country, with a population of around 630,000, is currently home to up to 100,000 foreigners.
Politicians fear Turkey's response
The parties of the Bosnian and Albanian minorities in Montenegro, which are part of the country's coalition government, have spoken out against the government's actions. According to Foreign Minister Ervin Ibrahimovic, Podgorica's actions are hasty and could seriously jeopardize the country's good relations with Turkey.
Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic also opposed the introduction of the visa regime: "The government has not taken into account the possible reaction from Turkey," his office told DW. The measure threatens Montenegrin citizens who live in Turkey, receive medical treatment there or travel through Istanbul airport. Economic cooperation could also be affected if the Turkish government retaliates.
The lifting of the visa-free regime for Turkish citizens is a "hasty step without prior analysis of the possible consequences," says Tea Gorianc-Prelevich of the human rights organization Human Rights Action. The measure is motivated solely by the reaction of a part of society, she says. "How does the government explain that the visa-free regime has been lifted only for citizens of Turkey, but not for citizens of Azerbaijan?", Gorianc-Prelevich asks DW.
A more restrictive law for foreigners
Saturday's incident should certainly not lead to collective guilt and discrimination against all Turks, she warns. Hate speech, incitement to violence and destruction of other people's property are criminal acts for which accountability must be sought. A number of other Montenegrin human rights activists are also calling for the rise in hatred and the escalation of violence to be condemned, which are not a justified reaction to the incident.
At the same time, Interior Minister Danilo Šaranović announced a more restrictive law on foreigners, which will soon be discussed in parliament. It provides for stricter requirements for residence and starting a business by foreign citizens in Montenegro. The country's police have announced that foreigners should expect more checks in the future. Also, foreign-owned enterprises will be immediately subject to an audit.
However, the measures taken by the government have not led to the easing of tensions. Protests are planned in Podgorica for today. The Turkish government has called on the Montenegrin authorities to protect Turkish citizens in the country. Montenegrin police have already detained several people on suspicion of planning attacks against Turks living in the country.
The visa crackdown is part of the EU accession process
Regardless of Saturday's incident, Turkey and Azerbaijan are among the countries for which Montenegro, as an EU candidate, must introduce visas in order to comply with the Community's visa rules.
So far, Podgorica has justified its liberal visa policy with the interests of Montenegrin tourism, but Brussels has long pointed out that economic reasons cannot prevail over obligations arising from Montenegro's EU accession process.