A Montenegrin lawmaker has accused a political rival of hypocrisy, claiming he tolerates glorification of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić to protect his own position.
Armen Šehović, who represents the Europe Now Movement (PES) in Parliament, directed his criticism at Petar Odžić, president of the Budva Municipal Assembly. The remarks came in a formal statement released to media.
Šehović argued that no principled leader who truly believed his own stated values would align with parties and individuals that openly celebrate Mladić. The former Bosnian Serb military commander received a life sentence for genocide and crimes against humanity.
Yet when the assembly presidency is at stake, Šehović said, both Odžić and the European Union conveniently overlook such glorification. Meanwhile, he added, they attempt to lecture others about standards.
The PES deputy pointed to specific votes. Odžić backed a mayoral candidate who had protested against the Srebrenica resolution, he noted. At the same time, Budva officials have vocally praised Mladić with no pushback from leadership.
Šehović demanded Odžić address statements from a member of the Board of Directors of the Budva Academy of Knowledge. That individual, according to Šehović, publicly honors the convicted war criminal.
He challenged Odžić to clarify whether he will reconsider his current coalition arrangements. Otherwise, Šehović concluded, Odžić may keep singing the songs of Baja Mali Knindža just to hold onto his chair.
