Joanikije

Answering the questions of the journalists about the accusation that "Serbia is waging a biological war against Montenegro", he said that you can only shrug your shoulders at such claims.
"I don't know what to tell you. I think it is normal not to use the police against political opponents, if they

Protests against the detention of the Serbian Orthodox clergy in Pljevlja, Montenegro. Photo: Facebook video screenshot

Police battled protesters in Pljevlja and Niksic with tear gas, leaving dozens of police officers and protesters injured. Protests also took place in Budva, Berane and the capital, Podgorica.

Residents of Andrijevica started a blockade in the town of Slatina, protesting over the arrest of a priest of the Serbian Orthodox Church and Bishop Joanikije, head of Diocese of Budimlje-Niksic.
The citizens of Andrijevica are blocking the main road Berane - Andrijevica - Plav from 11 am.
The long line of motor vehicles was formed in the length of one kilometer.

Bishop Joanikije of Budimlja-Niksic. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Bishop Joanikije of Niksic and seven other priests were placed in custody for 72 hours on Tuesday for violating the ban on public gatherings after they and Metropolitan Amfilohije led a procession in the town to celebrate St Vasilije's Day on Tuesday with thousands of believers.

Under the new law, religious communities can only retain ownership of their property is if they can produce clear evidence that it belongs to them. This point has triggered accusations from the Serbian Orthodox Church that the government plans to dispute many of its holdings.

The government denies having any plan to strip any faith denomination of its property.

Joanikije, bishop of the city of Niksic in Montenegro, is an outspoken critic of Montenegrin leader Milo Djukanovic and of his plans to support the Montenegrin Orthodox Church, a feared rival to the dominant Serbian Orthodox Chuch.

Ascent began in wars of 1990s:

The Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro has commemorated the centenary of the killing of the Russian imperial family at Ekaterinburg with numerous events held under the slogan "The Romanov Family - 100 years of Holiness".