9 police officers were injured and 20 were arrested during an anti-government protest in Montenegro's capital Podgorica.

Tensions escalated on Saturday, as some 300 protesters gathered in front of the government headquarters to demand the resignation of the Cabinet over high unemployment, corruption and poor economic conditions, according to reports of news portal Balkan Insight.

Police used tear gas and stun grenades to prevent the protesters from breaking into the government building.

The demonstration was organized through a Facebook group urging solidarity with the anti-government protests in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Police accused the protesters of behaving aggressively, attacking police officers, disturbing public order and threatening traffic safety on the roads.

The protesters arrested on Saturday were ordered to spend 48 hours in custody for resisting police orders to disperse.

Late on Sunday, a group of 50 NGOs activists, university professors and journalists staged a protest, demanding the release of the arrested demonstrators and accusing the police of using excessive force during the rally.

The protesters insisted that the police had arrested peaceful protesters while the provocateurs who had triggered the unrest were free.