Botun residents to Spajić, Mujović, and Nišavić: Come and talk to us or Montenegro will be paralyzed

Residents of Botun will not move a milimeter, if you want to talk with us come to Botun, or Montenegro will be paralyzed - local residents told Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, Podgorica Mayor Saša Mujović and the director of Podgorica’s Water Utility Aleksandar Nišavić during a blockade of the roundabout toward Zeta.

The blockade of the roundabout in the Zabjelo area toward Zeta, announced by residents of Botun in protest against the construction of a wastewater treatment plant, began at 2 p.m.

Bojan Terzić sent a message to Podgorica Mayor Saša Mujović, Water Utility Director Aleksandar Nišavić, and Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, saying that the citizens of Botun and Zeta would not retreat even a millimeter.

- You brought in machines and security for nothing. Most of you in the Government came from rural areas and are used to herding sheep into pens, so you fenced in those machines the same way. You must understand that we have lived here for over 500 years, not since yesterday or ten years ago. Our ancestors, over more than twenty generations, left their bones here. If you think you broke us by arresting us the other day, you stabbed yourselves in the stomach. Just as those who were taken to Spuž who used to work for the police, so will these be also God willing. We will not move a milimeter. That area is sacred territory for us, it is our future and the future of our families, and of every citizen of Zeta - Terzić said.

He added that they were invited to negotiations merely as a formality, not with the intention of reaching an agreement. He also thanked people from the region who had offered to help block roads and border crossings into Montenegro in solidarity.

- We are not alone in this fight, we have many allies. Even though they think we are just a handful of people, we are people who want to live normally, with healthy land and clean air - Terzić said.

He also mentioned that no one has yet been prosecuted over the red mud basin and said that the authorities should be ashamed.

He also had a message for the prime minister.

- Let Spajić take that suit he wore around Montenegro for 30 days ahead of August 30th and put it in the museum in Cetinje next to King Nikola’s suit. You didn’t have money for another one back then, and now you’re traveling around Vienna. We are waiting for you in Botun to talk. There will be no talks in Podgorica, none in the Government building. Come and talk to us, or Montenegro will be paralyzed - he said on behalf of those gathered.

One of the participants, Vukašin Stojanović, said the protest will continue until negotiations are resumed and construction works in Botun are halted.

Among those gathered was the president of the Democratic People’s Party Milan Knežević, who announced that the party would leave city and state authorities if its demands, some of which are related to the construction of the wastewater collector, are not met.

He said that Prime Minister Spajić and his Government now hold the responsibility, and that the fulfillment of the demands submitted after the party’s Presidency session will determine whether the party he presides over will remain in power.

Speaking from the Zabjelo roundabout blockade organized by Botun residents, Knežević said he would stand by them until the end and stressed that there would be no retreat.

Commenting on a statement by Parliament Speaker Andrija Mandić that he supports all their demands, but that now is not the right time, Knežević said Mandić has the right to his opinion.

- We lead two different political parties. I respect his position, just as I believe he will respect mine - Knežević said.

Residents of Botun had announced they would block the Zabjelo roundabout near the Podgorica Water Utility building today in protest against the start of construction of the wastewater treatment plant.

They called on all residents of Zeta to take to the streets and express their opposition to the construction of the plant in Botun.

Construction of the wastewater treatment plant officially began on December 30th last year, despite opposition from Botun residents.

The blockade has since ended, and traffic is normalised.