Vladimir Otashević, Director of Radio Television Podgorica (RTV Podgorica), was denied entry into Serbia shortly after midnight at the Gostun border crossing.
Speaking to N1, Otashević confirmed that Serbian authorities refused to allow him into the country when he attempted to cross the border at Gostun.
According to Otashević, during passport control he was instructed to wait. Approximately 30 minutes later, a police officer approached him and handed him an official decision denying him entry into Serbia.
He explained that he was traveling by car with his family and, as he was the driver, they collectively decided to return to Montenegro.
Otashević added that although he does not frequently use the Gostun border crossing, he had never encountered any problems there before. He described the conduct of the Serbian Border Police officers as professional but noted that he was given no explanation beyond what was stated in the official decision refusing his entry.
Earlier, Radio Television of Montenegro (RTCG), citing the Serbian Border Police’s decision, reported that Otashević arrived at the border crossing shortly after midnight and was denied entry following routine border control procedures.
The decision stated that entry may be refused when “the protection of the security of the Republic of Serbia and its citizens so requires.”
The incident comes after Montenegro barred Informer editor-in-chief Dragan Vučićević from entering the country in June. Following that decision, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić described Montenegro’s move as “a major mistake” and warned that Serbia might be forced to introduce reciprocal measures against its neighboring country.
Subsequently, Petar Komnenić, a journalist with Vijesti Television, was informed at the border that he was no longer welcome in Serbia.
