Government gives green light to parliamentary inquiry into the 2006 “Orlov let” (Eagle Flight) operation

The Government of Montenegro has given the green light to opening a parliamentary inquiry into the 2006 operation “Orlov let” (Eagle Flight), as Vijesti reports. In the adopted opinion on the proposed decision, the executive deems it reasonable to collect information and facts about the actions of state bodies at the time, in order to determine the circumstances and possible responsibility for actions or omissions in that case.

The proposal to open the parliamentary inquiry and form an inquiry commission was submitted to Parliament on June 1 by a group of 38 MPs, including representatives of the Albanian parties — the Albanian Forum and the Albanian Alliance — together with MPs of the Europe Now Movement, New Serbian Democracy and Democratic Montenegro.

According to the proponents, the inquiry commission should conduct the parliamentary investigation, prepare a report and submit it to Parliament within 90 days of the decision entering into force, with a possible extension of up to 15 days. The government cites the proponents, according to whom the circumstances of the “Orlov let” operation have not been fully clarified and there is a need to collect information on the actions of state bodies toward members of the Albanian community during 2006.

The purpose of the inquiry is for Parliament, on the basis of the information, documentation and statements given before the commission, to assess the actions of state bodies and determine the facts relevant to responsibility. The proponent MPs express reasonable suspicion that the actions of the competent bodies — first and foremost the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the time and the State Security Service, as well as the individuals at their helm — were unlawful. According to them, there are indications that these bodies did not take the measures the law required, but used their position to obstruct the investigation, with the aim that those responsible for human rights violations and persecution would not be discovered or prosecuted.

The “Orlov let” operation took place on September 9, 2006, a day before the parliamentary elections — the first after the restoration of Montenegro’s independence. In Malësia, 17 suspects were arrested for planning terrorist acts; they were ultimately sentenced to 2.5 to 6.5 years in prison, 51 years in total. Seven Montenegrin, Albanian and American citizens arrested during the action sued Montenegro at the Strasbourg Court for torture, while the European Court of Human Rights on November 24, 2015 found a violation of the Convention — specifically the prohibition of torture — in the case of Pjetër Dedvukaj.