The Nikšić Basic Court will not hold the trial scheduled for September 4 of the Budimlja-Nikšić bishop Joaniki and eight priests accused of violating health measures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
One of the defense lawyers, Sava Kostić, told the MINA agency that the scheduled hearing of the main trial will be postponed, because Judge Igor Đuričković is justifiably absent.
"Invitations will be sent about the next hearing date," said Kostić.
Joanikije and priests Slobodan Jokić, Dragan Krušić, Ostoja Knežević, Vasilije Brborić, Danilo Zirojević, Željko Rojević, Nikola Marojević and Mirko Vukotić are accused of violating the Criminal Code of Montenegro on the Day of St. Basil of Ostrog on May 12.
In the indictment proposal of the Basic State Prosecutor's Office, it was stated that on that day, when Nikšić traditionally celebrates the holiday of Saint Vasilij Ostroški, "they acted contrary to the orders of the Ministry of Health on the prevention of a dangerous infectious disease and gathered together with citizens on Šak Petrović Square, and then performed a religious ceremony outside the religious building - pouring through the streets of the city".
On the day of the procession, as previously stated by the defendants, there were no people infected with the coronavirus in Nikšić.
In the evening after the liturgy, the Bishop and the priests were detained in the building of the Nikšić Security Center for 72 hours.
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