Montenegro has issued an international arrest warrant for two Russians and three Serbs who were allegedly involved in a coup plot to overthrow the country`s pro-NATO government, according to RFE/RL.
The state prosecutor`s office said on December 27 that the five are being sought for alleged ”terrorist” activities that included plans to kill the country`s prime minister and take over parliament on Election Day in October, RFE/RL reports.
The two Russians, reportedly members of a Russian military spy agency, allegedly tracked the movements of Montenegro`s then-Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic from the territory of neighboring Serbia.
Local media identified one of the sought Serbians as Nemanja Ristic, who appeared in a photo standing near Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on December 12 during Lavrov`s visit to Belgrade.
The Kremlin has denied involvement but has actively supported local political groups that oppose Montenegro, a traditional Slavic ally, joining the Western military alliance.
Montenegro was invited to join the military alliance a year ago, but the decision is yet to be ratified by several member states.
Montenegrin authorities have said they have no evidence that high-level Russian authorities were involved in the anti-NATO plot.
Some 20 people, mostly Serbs and Russians, already are in custody in Montenegro over the alleged scheme.
