PODGORICA – Montenegrin police used tear gas to disperse protests demanding the release of eight Serbian Orthodox Church priests who were detained for organizing a religious procession despite a ban on gatherings because of the coronavirus.
The incidents late Wednesday in the western towns of Niksic and Pljevlja came a day after thousands attended the procession in Niksic without wearing face masks or keeping distance.
Local media say a number of people have been detained. Large gatherings are still banned in Montenegro as part of efforts to contain the spread of the new coronavirus.
The detained priests are facing charges of violating health regulations during the virus outbreak by organizing the procession.