Bar prosecution opens case over ‘General, general’ song sung at cathedral celebration

The Basic State Prosecutor’s Office in Bar has opened ex officio a case regarding the performance of the Serbian choir “Fenečki biseri” and songs with nationalist and militant symbolism, Vijesti reports. The prosecution will determine whether anyone’s actions contain elements of a criminal offense subject to ex officio prosecution. The event was also reported by CdM and primorski.me.

The concert was held at Bar’s Cultural Center on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the consecration of the St. Jovan Vladimir Cathedral in Bar. After the concert, recordings appeared on social media that sparked public reactions due to their messages and symbolism, Vijesti writes.

The recordings show the singing of “Gjeneral, gjeneral” — a song dedicated to Veljko Radenović, commander of a Serbian police unit in Kosovo during the war. In another recording, the choir sings “O junačka svijetla zoro, majko naša Crna Goro” — where Montenegro is presented as land that “remained of the Serb race” for freedom; the lyrics describe Njegoš as the “wisest Serb head.” The song “Gjeneral, gjeneral” has sparked reactions before, including after the death of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić.

Bar’s ODT responded to CdM in writing: “The Basic State Prosecutor’s Office in Bar, regarding the performance of the ‘Fenečki biseri’ choir and the performance of certain songs, has ex officio opened a case regarding this event to determine whether anyone’s actions contain elements of any criminal offense subject to ex officio prosecution.”