10 minutes agoMontenegro frees Serbian Orthodox Church priests after mounting tensions
Periskopi(6 years ago)
(6 years ago)A Montenegrin prosecutor has freed nine priests of the Serbian Orthodox Church, whose ban sparked diplomatic tensions between Serbia and Montenegro, as well as clashes between police and protesters. Eight priests in Montenegro were detained by police for violating public health orders after leading [...]
A Montenegrin prosecutor has freed nine priests of the Serbian Orthodox Church, whose ban sparked diplomatic tensions between Serbia and Montenegro, as well as clashes between police and protesters.
Eight priests in Montenegro were detained by police for violating public health orders after running an illegal liturgy on the streets of the town of Niksic on 12 May.
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.
Eight priests and a bishop were released after 72 hours of maintaining their judgment.
Their ban has triggered protests for several days in Niksic and Plelevle, where dozens of protesters remained injured.
The arrests follow continuing tensions between Montenegro's pro-Western authorities and the Serbian Orthodox Church, Rel reports.
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.
