Indictment against eight accused priests of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro and Bishop Joanikije has been issued and submitted to the Nikšić District court.
On 12 May, the day of the Saint Basil of Ostrog, Serbian church in Nikšić organized the so called prayer walk, despite the ban on gatherings which is still in force.
Previously during the liturgy in the Temple of the Saint Basil of Ostrog, bishop Joanikije said that “there won’t be religious processions”. However, several thousands of people gathered around 6 pm at Šako Paetrović Square, waiting for the prayer walk.
As representatives of the Archdiocese of the SOC in Nikšić said, they couldn’t ignore the expectations of the mass and they decided to organize the walk across the town.
That same night, Mr Joanikije and eight priests were summoned to hearing and were ordered to remain in custody for 72 hours.
That provoked revolt of the adherents of the SOC and several hundreds gathered in front of the police department in Nikšić to support the priests. The protest continued the next day, when the mass tried to block the traffic near roundabout in Nikšić.
Police said that protesters had attacked police officers who then used teargas, pepper spray, shock bombs and other coercion means. During the incident, 22 police officers were injured.
Bishop Joanikije and other priests were set free on 16 May. They were welcomed by great number of citizens. That night, Mr Joanikije said “this is going to be a long fight”.
