CASE OPENED AGAINST METROPOLITAN METODIJE OVER SPEECH ABOUT GENERAL MLADIĆ

PODGORICA, SEPTEMBER 8 /SRNA/ - The Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Podgorica has opened a case against Metropolitan Metodije of Budimlje-Nikšić over a sermon in which he mentioned General Ratko Mladić, which was characterized as allegedly "inciting national, racial and religious hatred."

The institution confirmed that a case had been opened against the metropolitan over his sermon at Piva Monastery on August 28, on the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God, Montenegrin media reported.

The metropolitan spoke about the Serbian people’s attitude towards General Mladić, saying that the people had recognized in him all the noble and sacred qualities of Serbian warriors and knights.

"May the Most Holy Mother of God, whose Dormition we celebrate, raise his soul among all the holy Serbian knights, the renowned General Ratko," the metropolitan said at the time.

Following the liturgy, a memorial service was also held for General Mladić, as reported by the Budimlje-Nikšić Eparchy.

The Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Bijelo Polje recently dismissed two criminal complaints against the metropolitan, filed over his sermons last year concerning Chetnik commander Pavle Đurišić.

The complaints concerned his sermons at Podmalinsko Monastery and in Gornje Zaostro, where a monument to Đurišić had once been erected and was later removed.

Although a case had also been opened against the metropolitan at the time over alleged incitement of national, racial and religious hatred, both complaints were ultimately dismissed.