13. 05. 2020. 17:10   >>  17:11 0

ODT (BASIC STATE PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE) NIKSIC

Joanikije and priests detained for up to 72 hours

Bishop of Budimlja and Niksic Joanikije and seven priests of the Serbian Orthodox Church were ordered to be detained for 72 hours after they were interrogated in the prosecutor's office in Niksic.

According to the Prosecutor's Office, they were detained due to a well-founded suspicion that they committed the criminal offense of failing to comply with health regulations to combat a dangerous infectious disease, because contrary to orders of the Ministry of Health they violated the ban on gathering in public and organized religious rites – a procession through the streets of Niksic, which was attended by a large number of citizens.

The Serbian Orthodox Church organized a procession and liturgy in Niksic on the day of Saint Basil of Ostrog, which was attended by a large number of people who did not respect social distance or use protective masks, although a ban on public gatherings is in force due to the spread of the new coronavirus. 

In addition to Joanikije, priests Danilo Zirojevic, Zeljko Rojevic, Ostoja Knezevic, Mirko Vukotic, Vasilije Brboric, Nikola Marojevic were also detained.

The invitation for the interrogation was handed over by the Niksic police last night in the Parochial House, after which a large number of people gathered in front of it.

After negotiations between lawyers and police representatives the priests first went to CB (Security Center) Niksic to give a statement.