The police in Montenegro's northern towns of Niksic and Plevlja fired teargas and shock bombs to disperse protesters who flooded the streets and threw stones on police officers after the arrest of the Budimlje-Niksic Bishop Joanikije and several other Serbian Orthodox Church priests, Vijesti.me website reported late on Wednesday, adding that the police also arrested the correspondent of a Belgrade daily.

The priests were detainedfor serving the liturgy and celebrated St. Vasilije Day, despite Podgorica Government’s ban on gathering during the coronavirus epidemic.

The protesters yelled “We won’t give up our shrines,” “Set bishop free…”

The Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro said it didn’t bless any gatherings and distanced itself from the events in the streets.

Vijesti said that children were among demonstrators in Pljevlja when the police threw teargas and shock bombs.

The police said people were throwing stones, bottles and pyrotechnics on them and that two officers were injured.

 Earlier on Wednesday, SPC Patriarch Irinej and President Aleksandar Vucic said they were concerned over the arrest.

Protest walks were held in other places in northern Montenegro – Berane and Andrijevica,  coastal town of Budva, while in the capital Podgorica people protested by driving through the streets.