The vote took place as several hundred people protested outside the assembly against the move, accusing the government of linking the opposition to what they said was a "fake coup."
Country lifts immunity to lawmakers over coup plot
Montenegro's parliament voted Wednesday to strip two pro-Russian opposition MPs of their immunity, paving the way for their arrest for alleged involvement in a foiled coup last October.
Andrija Mandic, leader of Montenegro's Democratic Front alliance opposition party, pictured in 2016, is suspected of involvement in a foiled coup
Prosecutor Milivoje Katnic has requested that parliament allow the prosecution and detention of Andrija Mandic and Milan Knezevic, who are both leading members of the opposition Democratic Front (DF).
The authorities have accused the alleged coup plotters, including DF leaders, of seeking to seize parliament and assassinate former premier Milo Djukanovic on the day of the October 16 elections.
Mandic, 52, and Knezevic, 36, were suspected of "creating a criminal organisation ... and preparing an attempt on the constitutional order and security of Montenegro," according to a statement on the parliament website.
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All 42 deputies present in the 81-seat parliament voted to lift the immunity of Mandic and Knezevic.
"By the decision, the Montenegrin parliament approves the opening of criminal proceedings and arrest" of the two, said parliamentary speaker Ivan Brajovic.
The DF, which has 18 MPs, is a fierce opponent of Montenegro's bid to join NATO and has been behind violent protests against proposed membership of the alliance.
DF leaders have repeatedly denied involvement in the plot, claiming the government set them up.
Russia blamed
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"Thieves! Thieves!" chanted protestors during the arrival of MPs from the ruling Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS).
"These authorities came to power by force and will leave by force," Scepan, a 34-year-old unemployed man, told AFP.
The two deputies joined supporters in front of the assembly, where special police and metal fences were deployed.
"We decided to oppose the dictatorial regime and there is no force which could stop us ... until we free Montenegro with democratic means," Mandic told the crowd.
On Sunday, Mandic, whose driver was arrested last week also on suspicion of involvement in the plot, warned the prosecutor that "clashes" could erupt if the DF leaders were charged.
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Authorities have accused "Russian nationalists" of orchestrating the alleged plot, saying pro-Moscow Serbs were hired to carry it out.
Some 15 Serbs were arrested on the eve of the elections, while authorities have also launched a manhunt for two Russians who are on the run.
Djukanovic, a veteran politician who led Montenegro both as prime minister and president for almost 25 years, quit the government after the polls, despite his party's victory.
His close ally and new premier Dusko Markovic has confirmed Montenegro's intention of joining NATO this year.
Russia has branded the idea "a provocation".
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If Podgorica joins the alliance, NATO will reinforce its presence in the Balkans as Greece, Croatia and Albania are already members.
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