Podgorica, (MINA) - The Ministry of Culture and Media will request that the competent authorities remove the monument to Jusuf Celic in Gusinje, Minister Tamara Vujovic announced, adding that she will not stop until every memorial, erected without the approval by the ministry, is removed.

Vujovic said that during the visit to the village of Vusanje near Gusinje on Friday, she inspected the site where the monument to Jusuf Celic - Isuf Kamer Calaj – was erected in 2013, allegedly without any approval from the Ministry.

According to Vujovic, such actions are unacceptable both under the law and in the light of the historical truth.

“Isuf Kamer Celaj was an associate of the occupiers. And Montenegro must not allow any symbol on its territory that glorifies those who stood by the forces that brought suffering, persecution and bloodshed to our people”, stated Vujovic in a press release.

She said that she will order the cultural heritage inspectors to visit the site, establish the factual situation and, in accordance with the Law on Monuments, order the executive authorities to remove the illegally erected monument.

Vujovic said that the question of why the state tolerated such actions for decades in other municipalities should be answered by “those who were in power at the time”.

“The Ministry of Culture will not stop until every monument erected without its approval is removed. In every municipality, without exception”, said Vujovic.