Montenegrin Prime Minister Spajic announced a temporary suspension of visa-free travel for Turkish nationals. The decision was reportedly made in reaction to violent demonstrations that ensued after an alleged attack by Turkish nationals.

Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic announced that visa liberalisation for Turkish citizens will be suspended.

“Tomorrow we will make a decision on the temporary removal of visa-free travel for citizens of the Republic of Turkey through an emergency procedure,” Spajic said in a statement on X on Sunday evening.

“In order to protect economic activities and bilateral relations, we will begin intensive negotiations with the Republic of Turkey in the coming period, in a spirit of cooperation and alliance, to find the best model that observes mutual interests,” he added.

A formal comment on the matter has not yet been released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In addition to tourists, Turks who want to become citizens through investment will be impacted by the ruling.

Turkish nationals may visit the Balkan nation for up to ninety days without a visa under the former rule.

Within the framework of the Visa Exemption Agreement between Turkey and Montenegro, the provision that “Turkish and Montenegrin citizens with diplomatic, special, service and ordinary passports may enter each other’s country without obtaining a visa for a period not exceeding ninety (90) days from the date of first entry within every six months or for transit purposes” was implemented.

With a regular passport valid for at least six months, one might visit Montenegro by road for up to ninety days within 180 days for tourism or transit.

There are presently 13,300 Turkish residents living in Montenegro, according to the country’s police.

A recent altercation and attack involving a group of Turkish nationals is said to have prompted the decision. One Montenegrin person is said to have been killed by three Turkish nationals.

Protests were staged all around the nation after this tragedy, especially in Turkish-populated areas. 45 Turkish nationals are said to have been arrested during these occurrences.

A Montenegrin resident was assaulted and stabbed by unidentified attackers in the Zabjelo neighbourhood of the capital, Podgorica, according to local media source Televizija Vijesti. Following the event, locals flocked to the streets, with some groups yelling anti-Turkish sentiments.

Official Montenegrin officials have not yet verified the detention report, though.