Montenegrin police arrest about 60 people for violent protests

Montenegro police have arrested about 60 people, due to violent protests on May 13th, through which the release of eight Serbian Orthodox priests was requested.

The clashes between protesters and police occurred in cities: Nicksic and Pleleve.

Twenty-six police officers were injured during the clashes, police said in a statement, adding that one of the officers injured was hospitalised.

Eight priests in Montenegro may face 12 years in prison for violating public health orders after running an illegal liturgy on the streets of the town of Niksic.

Thousands of believers of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro ignored the extent of the ban on public gatherings which the government has decided to prevent the spread of the choreography and participated in a religious liturgy.

Belgrade has sharply criticised the arrest of eight Serbian Orthodox Church officials.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq and Serbian Orthodox Patriarch Irinej said in a joint statement that “represented hope that the arrests would not cause any “training or unwanted clashes”.

The arrests follow continuing tensions between Montenegro's pro-Western authorities and the Serbian Orthodox Church.

Earlier this year, the Serbian Orthodox Church held several weeks of protests in Montenegro against a law on Religious Freedoms.

The Serbian Orthodox Church, which has long dominated religious life in Montenegro, claims the law will take over the property, including monasteries and churches. / REL