Abazovic: Patriarch Porfirije faced great security threat

Photo: Tanjug/Zoran Zestic

An investigation will determine the details and facts about security threats during the enthronement of Metropolitan Joanikije in Cetinje, Montenegrin Deputy Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic said today, adding that the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) Patriarch POrfirije faced a great security threat, which he said the patriarch himself confirmed in his statement.

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He assessed that the security services passed a big test, while on the other hand, according to him, the whole event left a bitter taste in the mouth.

Abazovic told Nova S TV that there were no cases of disobedience among the members of the security sector, but that there were cases of certain emotional hesitation in some people.

The security sector functioned flawlessly, claims the deputy prime minister of Montenegro.

"I do not allow anyone to charge people with something that is not up to them. Anyone who refused any task will be suspended," said Abazovic.

He stressed that the patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church is a protected person and the obligation of the police is to keep him as far away from danger as possible.

"I would ask everyone - who would have been the one to appear before the public and the citizens if something had happened to the patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church, andI I tell you that no one but me would have done it. I do not allow a shadow to be cast in any way on any police officer who, despite everything, came out with the best results. We are not proud of the use of tear gas, but there is a lack of dialogue and political culture here," said Abazovic.

He also said that the state is not there to determine which church someone can perform religious rites in, but that instead its task is to protect constitutional rights.

Speaking about relations between Montenegro and Serbia, Abazovic said that their commitment was towards having much greater trust, cooperation and more relaxed relations with Serbia than they are now.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)