Montenegro has arrested a 59-year-old man from Berane for the unauthorized installation of a monument to Pavle Djurisic, a World War II Chetnik commander. Djurisic is infamously known for his collaboration with Axis occupation forces and alleged orchestrations of civilian massacres. The bronze statue, erected on private property in Gornje Zaostro near Berane, appeared shortly before an annual gathering commemorating the Chetnik movement, sparking significant controversy and debate about historical revisionism in the country.
Key Takeaways
- A 59-year-old man, identified as V.D., was arrested in Montenegro for illegally erecting a monument.
- The monument honors Pavle Djurisic, a WWII Chetnik commander accused of war crimes and collaboration with Axis forces.
- The statue was placed on private property without legal approval, ahead of a Chetnik commemoration event.
- Montenegro’s President condemned the act, calling it an attempt to rehabilitate a fascist-aligned ideology.
Illegal Monument Installation
The illegal monument was discovered on private property in the village of Gornje Zaostro, near Berane. Its erection occurred without any prior notification or legal approval, just days before the August 8 gathering, a traditional event for commemorating the Chetnik movement. The statue was photographed and reported to the authorities, leading to an immediate police investigation.
Legal Ramifications
The Prosecutor’s Office in Berane confirmed that V.D. faces charges under Article 411a of Montenegro’s Criminal Code for the unauthorized erection of a commemorative structure. Following the investigation, which included an on-site inspection, evidence collection, and interviews, the suspect was taken into custody. The Ministry of Culture dispatched an inspector to examine the monument, which was found to be in violation of cultural heritage procedures and lacked any official inscriptions.
Historical Context and Public Reaction
Pavle Djurisic is a historically documented figure who led units responsible for mass killings in Montenegro, the Sandzak region, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The appearance of his monument has reignited public debate in Montenegro, a nation with an officially anti-fascist post-war character, concerning attempts to revise the history of figures aligned with fascism. President Jakov Milatovic strongly condemned the act, labeling it a direct attempt to rehabilitate an ideology that contradicts Montenegro’s fundamental anti-fascist values and called for the statue’s immediate removal.
Sources
- Montenegrin Arrested Over Illegal Monument to WWII Chetnik Commander, Balkan Insight.
