In a recent case that has drawn public and media attention in the Balkans, a 22-year-old citizen of Kosovo, Edison Shehu, was sentenced to 10 days in prison in Montenegro after admitting to writing graffiti containing the phrase “APRZ UÇK 1878” in the coastal town of Meljine, near Herceg Novi. The decision was confirmed by the Court for Minor Offenses of Budva – Herceg Novi Department, as reported by the Montenegrin daily “Vijesti”.
According to court documents, Shehu was charged under Article 18 of Montenegro’s Law on Public Order and Peace, which stipulates that anyone who causes damage to buildings, monuments, or other structures by writing graffiti or other inscriptions can be punished with a fine ranging from €50 to €400 or imprisonment.
The case unfolded quickly. Authorities detained Shehu shortly after the graffiti appeared on a building in Meljine, and he was brought before the court the same evening, at around 9:30 p.m. During the hearing, Shehu admitted his guilt, explaining that the graffiti’s content had no political or extremist connotation, but rather reflected his affiliation with a fan group known as APRZ.
“The accused was brought to court at 21:30 with the charge that earlier that day, around 4:00 p.m., in Meljine, he wrote graffiti in red spray paint reading ‘APRZ UÇK 1878.’ The defendant admitted to committing the offense and stated that ‘APRZ’ refers to the fan group he belongs to, while the term ‘UÇK’ refers to the Kosovo Liberation Army. He emphasized that the inscription ‘UÇK’ was not meant in a political or militant context,” the court’s statement said, as quoted by Vijesti.
Following his confession, the judge sentenced Shehu to 10 days in prison and ordered his immediate transfer to the Directorate for the Execution of Criminal Sanctions. In addition, the court imposed a one-year protective measure, banning him from entering Montenegro for the next 12 months.
Police Action and Investigation
The incident prompted a swift police response. Earlier that same day, Montenegrin police in Igalo stopped a bus belonging to a Kosovo transport company after receiving reports that passengers had written graffiti bearing the initials “UÇK” on at least one building in Meljine.
Unofficial reports cited by Vijesti suggest that the individuals involved were fans from Prizren, Kosovo, who were traveling through Montenegro. It remains unclear whether any other passengers were charged or detained in connection with the graffiti incident.
Local authorities have been increasingly vigilant about acts of vandalism and politically charged graffiti, particularly when they involve nationalist or ethnic references, given the region’s sensitive post-war history. While graffiti is often treated as a minor offense, in this case, the combination of symbols — “UÇK” and “1878” — drew special attention due to its potential to provoke tension.
Legal Context
Under Montenegro’s Law on Public Order and Peace, public defacement of property is considered a violation that disturbs community harmony. Article 18 specifically addresses acts such as graffiti, posters, and unauthorized markings on public or private property.
The penalties range from fines to short-term imprisonment, depending on the severity of the act and the intent behind it. Courts may also impose additional sanctions, such as community service or, in the case of foreign nationals, temporary bans from re-entry — as happened in Shehu’s case.
Reaction and Public Debate
The case has sparked mixed reactions online. Some Montenegrin users praised the authorities for enforcing the law strictly, emphasizing the importance of protecting public property and preventing politically sensitive symbols from appearing in public spaces. Others, however, argued that the punishment was disproportionate, given that Shehu’s graffiti did not appear to promote hate speech or violence.
In Kosovo, the story has been widely shared on social media, with many commenting on the quick legal process and the cross-border implications of such incidents. While there has been no official response from the Kosovo Ministry of Foreign Affairs, several commentators called for greater awareness among young travelers about respecting local laws abroad.
Broader Context
The inclusion of “UÇK” (the Kosovo Liberation Army) in graffiti remains a sensitive subject in the Balkans. While the UÇK is celebrated by many in Kosovo as a liberation movement during the 1998–1999 conflict, in neighboring countries like Montenegro and Serbia, its symbolism can be interpreted as politically provocative.
For that reason, even minor acts like graffiti can quickly escalate into legal and diplomatic issues, particularly when they occur in public areas. Authorities in Montenegro have stressed that the decision was based purely on the violation of public order and not on the political message behind the inscription.
The case of Edison Shehu serves as a reminder that actions taken abroad — even seemingly harmless ones like graffiti — can have serious legal consequences. While Shehu’s intent may not have been political, the context of his graffiti led to a criminal conviction, jail time, and a ban from Montenegro.
As the region continues to navigate complex historical sensitivities, cases like this highlight the need for mutual respect, cultural understanding, and adherence to local laws when traveling across borders in the Balkans.