A PERSON WEARING BALACLAVA TEARS SOC FLAG DISPLAYED ON CHURCH IN ORAHOVAC

BELGRADE, APRIL 2 /SRNA/ - A person wearing a balaclava has torn the flag of the Serbian Orthodox Church /SOC/ displayed on the bell tower of the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Orahovac, while the other was stolen, the Diocese of Raška-Prizren reported.

The Diocese strongly condemned the act of vandalism occurred last night, pointing out it once again proves no conditions for the free and dignified practice of the Orthodox faith in Kosovo and Metohija, nor for the normal life of the Serb people.

"We note with regret that violations of the religious rights and freedoms of our Church and the faithful people are systematically continuing," the Diocese cited in a statement, adding that it will inform the relevant international institutions about this incident.

The Diocese points out that the desecrated flag is not political, but the official flag of the Serbian Orthodox Church with a cross and four letters.

The surveillance cameras of the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary recorded an unknown person wearing a balaclava entering the church yard at 00:45 and tearing the SOC flag on the bell tower of the church.

In the morning, priest Milan Stanojević noticed that the flag on the bell tower had been torn, and that the other one near the candle burning tray had been stolen.

The incident was immediately reported to the police station in Orahovac.