The dictator of Montenegro in Geneva complained about large-scale protests by Orthodox Christians

Last Sunday, a record number of believers gathered in the Montenegrin capital to protest against the anti-Orthodox law adopted by the country's authorities.

Balkan media reported this, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.

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The permanent leader of Montenegro, Milo Djukanovic, who has ruled the country since 1991, speaking at the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council, complained that due to the recently adopted “Law on Freedom of Religion,” his country “faces numerous blows, both internally and and outside, through the open union of the church with nationalist non-systemic organizations.”

At the same time, he is confident that the actions of his opponents “are aimed at destroying law and order and denying the civil and multinational character of the Montenegrin state.”

“The adopted law is liberal, in accordance with the latest global legislative standards, it enshrines freedom of religion, regulates the legal status of religious communities and guarantees the constitutional principle of separation of church and state,” Djukanovic lied. “The process of preparing the bill lasted five years and contained a comprehensive dialogue with all religious communities of the country and relevant international organizations, primarily the Venice Commission, whose recommendations were fully accepted.”

In fact, the “Law on Freedom of Religion” Jesuitically manipulates the concepts of property rights and restitution, and according to it the Serbian Orthodox Church may lose most of its churches and monasteries. At the same time, Djukanovic himself has repeatedly stated his intention to achieve the emergence of an autocephalous Montenegrin Orthodox Church in his country, to which the church property taken away from the SOC could be transferred.

While in Montenegro there is a small public organization registered in the early 90s called the “Montenegrin Orthodox Church”, which is not recognized by world Orthodoxy. At the same time, the overwhelming majority of Orthodox believers in Montenegro consider themselves children of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

“However, already in the process of preparation, and especially after the adoption of the law, Montenegro was faced with accusations from only one religious community (SOC - ed.) and a media campaign when, with the help of skillful manipulations, the state was accused of intending to seize church property,” complained the Montenegrin dictator in Geneva. “In addition, at international forums, including here, one can hear accusations that Montenegro is pursuing a policy of discrimination and violation of freedom of religion.”

Contrary to Djukanovic’s words, last Sunday, February 24, a record number of believers gathered for a protest prayer service in the capital Podgorica alone - about 70 thousand people, which is a very significant number for a state of half a million. The litany in the capital's Church of the Nativity of Christ was attended by the rector of the ancient Vysoki Decani monastery, located on the territory of Kosovo, which was separated from Serbia, Archimandrite Sava Janjic.

“We are all united by one faith, Jesus, who gives us strength,” the clergyman said addressing his fellow tribesmen and fellow believers. – You are all an example and inspiration for us, just keep going. We are here to protect the saints."

It also became known that the Montenegrin tax department joined in the persecution of the SOC, which presented the church with a multi-million dollar bill, in case of non-payment of which the authorities may begin to confiscate church property for which they have designs.