Man throws grenade at U.S. Embassy in Montenegro, then kills himself
A man who hurled a grenade into the U.S. Embassy compound in Montenegro’s capital and then killed himself Wednesday was an ex-soldier decorated by former Serbian strongman Slobodan Milosevic after NATO’s bombing of Serbia and Montenegro in 1999.
A police official confirmed the man was 43-year-old Dalibor Jaukovic, saying he was identified by a close relative. The official asked for anonymity because of the ongoing investigation.
The blast created a crater but caused no other material damage to the embassy property, a police statement said.
Officers came to the scene after receiving reports about an explosion and found a lifeless male body in the area of the Moraca River that runs through Podgorica, the statement said.
The embassy in Podgorica said Thursday that all staff members are safe and accounted for after the incident.
Montenegro borders the Adriatic Sea in southeastern Europe. It joined NATO last year despite strong opposition from Russia, a traditional Slavic ally.
Many in Montenegro remain opposed to NATO membership because of the air war the alliance waged to stop the war in Kosovo when Montenegro was still part of Yugoslavia.
The U.S. established diplomatic ties with the tiny Balkan state in 2006 after it split from much larger Serbia.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
