Montenegro convicts 4 Americans in uprising plot

[951-Riverside]

Source: The Associated Press

Four Michigan residents were among 12 ethnic Albanians convicted Tuesday of plotting a rebellion to carve out a homeland within the tiny Balkan republic of Montenegro.

The Americans of Montenegrin origin were part of a group arrested in September 2006 on the eve of a key parliamentary election in Montenegro which had just become independent of Serbia. Authorities alleged they were planning attacks on institutions in a predominantly ethnic Albanian-populated eastern part of Montenegro with the aim of creating an autonomous region.

Three of the Americans, Sokol Ivanaj and cousins Kola Dedvukaj and Rrok Dedvukaj, had lived for decades in Michigan but were on a visit to Montenegro when apprehended. A fourth American, Doda Ljucaj, was the alleged mastermind of the plot. He was born in Montenegro but lived in the United States and was arrested in Vienna, Austria, later in 2006.

The court also convicted five other members of the same ethnic Albanian group of possessing illegal weapons. The 17 were sentenced to prison terms ranging from three months to 6 1/2 years and the Americans received some of the toughest sentences.

Read more: http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/international/index.ssf?/base/international-29/1217950166195480.xml&storylist=international

[Doctor Cynic]

1. Did they have envelopes of cash from the CIA?

[irish.lambchop]

2. I had an 'interesting' border experience

going from Croatia into Montenegro in June. I took public transport (bus) from the main terminal in Dubrovnik and passed through Croatian border (where the bus had to stop and passports were collected leaving, which I didn't really understand, checked and returned) and then a few hundred yards or so stopped again at the Montenegro border where passports where once again collected by border guards who boarded the bus. I was 'invited' to leave the bus with my belongings which happened to be only a backpack, and was left in a room waiting while my backpack was picked through. Thirty minutes and several questions later, I was told I could re-board the bus. I had no idea what prompted that and certainly didn't ask. The bus driver and just about everyone on the bus was less than pleased with the wait. My overall impression of Montenegro (though I only experienced bits of it as I was there for just one week) was not a favorable one. Their currency is the Euro yet they are not a member of the EU yet the EU seem to be pouring money into road works there. Not sure what's up with that. There is a huge Russian presence in Montenegro and though what little I saw of the country was beautiful, it is certainly not the most hospitable of places. Loads of "Fuck You USA" and "Serbia is Kosovo" graffiti. Most every local I encountered seemed less than happy. Just my impressions.

[ooglymoogly]

3. nice to hear from somebody who's been there. nt