Knežević Threatens Political Exit Over Botunjan Protests

Milan Knežević, a prominent member of the Democratic People’s Party in Montenegro, has issued a stark warning regarding the ongoing controversy surrounding the proposed wastewater treatment plant in Botun. During a press conference, Knežević stated that if police take repressive measures against local protesters, the party will initiate a withdrawal from government positions both in the capital and at the national level.

The dispute centers on a recent referendum concerning the construction of the wastewater facility. Knežević emphasized that any disregard for the referendum results by authorities would provoke reciprocal actions from the residents of Botun. He expressed concerns about the financial aspects of the project, which is estimated to cost around €20 million. He noted a lack of transparent cost comparisons with similar projects in Europe and the absence of a clear analysis of expenses related to equipment and construction.

Knežević highlighted potential for price escalation due to undefined additional costs associated with the construction. He remarked, “Where is the best place to steal? Underground,” pointing out the challenges in monitoring the integrity of installations once they are buried.

He further criticized the technology proposed for the wastewater treatment plant, stating it does not align with modern trends and lacks advanced automation. The contracts do not include provisions for assessing existing pollution or remediating soil contaminated with red sludge, nor do they provide a clear monitoring plan for environmental impact during and after construction.

In light of these concerns, Knežević called for a revision of the project documentation and technical solutions to comply with European Union standards. He insisted on the necessity of an independent geochemical assessment of the site and proposed that the continuation of work be contingent upon additional measurements and sanitary measures.

Additionally, Knežević raised doubts regarding the Turkish company contracted to build the facility, noting its lack of experience in Europe. According to him, the company has primarily operated in regions such as West Tehran, Kuwait, Lebanon, and Uzbekistan.

He brought attention to the ownership of the red sludge basin, which belongs to a private individual, raising the question of whether the state could compel the owner to sell it despite plans for a significant investment of €32 million. “Who can force him to sell?” Knežević questioned, implicating a potential legal struggle.

Knežević urged the judiciary to intervene regarding the contractual agreements that he believes do not represent a viable project. He declared, “I think I have fully upheld the burden of proof on this contract and uncovered the corruption.”

Looking ahead, Knežević stated that should the police resort to violence against the citizens of Botun, he would convene an urgent meeting of the party’s presidency to propose the departure from local and state governance. He indicated that such a move would lead to significant political repercussions, particularly affecting the support for the current administration in Podgorica.

Finally, Knežević encouraged residents in the Zeta region to vote against the construction in the upcoming referendum, emphasizing that any dismissal of the community’s voice would lead to necessary retaliatory measures from the people of Botun. He concluded with confidence that the response from the citizens of Zeta would favor their cause.