Montenegro police arrest suspect for attack on Vijesti journalist Olivera Lakić

Podgorica, Montenegro (13 March 2012) – Late last night, Montenegro’s police apprehended a person suspected of physically attacking Vijesti journalist Olivera Lakić on 7 March.

The arrest of the 29-year old man from the capital of Podgorica was made following an extensive police investigation. The journalist positively identified the suspect as the attacker.

The police launched the investigation on the evening of the attack and forwarded the findings to the Forensic Centre in Danilovgrad for analysis. All police units available were employed in tracking the person who assaulted Ms Lakić, and following the leads gathered in the past few days the arrest was made around 11pm on 12 March in Podgorica.

Prime Minister Igor Lukšić strongly condemned the attack and urged the authorities to employ all available resources to investigate the attack thoroughly. He said it was necessary for Montenegro to prove its ability and resolve to prevent and punish violence against free speech.

The attack on Vijesti journalist caused an outrage in the public, and several protests were held in Podgorica in the previous days.