Montenegro Criticised for Lack of Action against Migrant Smugglers

Montenegro is failing to go after the organised crime groups preying on migrants and refugees trying to cross the country, experts say.

With just four cases ending in convictions in the past five years, Montenegro is facing calls to step up prosecution of the smugglers who prey on migrants and refugees trying to cross the Adriatic country en route to Western Europe.

Since 2018, authorities have registered 12,548 migrants and refugees trying to transit the country, often paying hundreds or thousands of euros to smugglers to ostensibly ease their passage. The real number is believed to be significantly higher.