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| Europe |
| 12 injured in protests in Montenegro |
| 2021-09-06 |
| [NEWSFRONT] The enthronement of the Metropolitan of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Ioannikios, sparked protests in the historical capital of Montenegro, Cetinje. In the city, there were clashes between nationalists and the police. The instigator of the riots was the adviser to the President Milo Djukanovic, Veselin Veljovic. Local "patriots" so vehemently oppose the enthronement of Ioannikius, believing that this will strengthen Serbia's influence in the country. In their opinion, they need to separate the Montenegrin church and achieve its autonomy. Radicals rushed at law enforcement officers and blocked the entrances to the city. Thus, they hoped to disrupt the ceremony. To take the situation under control, the authorities had to use special forces. Nevertheless, the enthronement took place anyway: Ioannikius and other clergymen had to be transported to the place of celebration by helicopter. However, none of the believers was able to witness the event. It is known that at least four people were injured during the riots. In addition, the police managed to detain several people who provoked the clashes. Prime Minister of Montenegro Zdravko Krivokapic accused them of attempting terrorism. The president of the largest ethnic Serbian political party in Montenegro, New Serbian Democracy, Andrija Mandic, said the president was behind the organization of the riots. He equated recent events with an attempted coup d'état. |
| Posted by:badanov |