Metropolitan Metodije faces investigation in Montenegro

Metodije Ratko Mladić Montenegro prosecution religious leader war crimes glorification

The Higher State Prosecutor's Office in Podgorica has opened a case against Metropolitan Metodije of Budimlja and Nikšić. The investigation follows remarks made by the Metropolitan during a memorial service for Ratko Mladić, where he praised the convicted war criminal as a ‘holy Serbian knight.’ The Metropolitan is suspected of inciting national, racial, and religious hatred.

Separately, the Higher State Prosecutor's Office in Bijelo Polje rejected criminal charges against Metropolitan Metodije regarding previous speeches in which he praised Pavle Đurišić, a World War II commander. The prosecution determined that those specific remarks did not constitute a criminal offense.

In related legal news, Zoran Radović, President of the High Court, addressed corruption in Montenegro, emphasizing that an indictment does not constitute proof of guilt and stressing the importance of the presumption of innocence. Additionally, reports indicate that Metropolitan Joanikije of Montenegro and the Littoral may face an internal investigation by the Serbian Orthodox Church regarding administrative and financial operations.

Entities

Bjelopolje Higher State Prosecutor's Office · Budimlje-Nikšić Eparchy · Dragoljub Mihailović · High Court of Montenegro · Katarina Kljajević · Metodije · Metropolitan Metodije · Pavle Đurišić · Podgorica Higher State Prosecutor's Office · Podgorica Higher State Prosecutor’s Office · Ratko Mladić

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] The prosecutor's office determined that Metodije's speeches did not contain elements of inciting national, racial, or religious hatred.
[● 3 SOURCES] Metodije described Chetnik leaders Dragoljub Mihailović and Pavle Đurišić as the first guerrillas to rise against fascists in Europe.
[● 3 SOURCES] A second criminal complaint regarding an event in Gornje Zaostro was also rejected.
[● 3 SOURCES] The Bjelopolje Higher State Prosecutor's Office rejected criminal complaints against Metropolitan Metodije.
[● 3 SOURCES] A criminal complaint regarding a speech delivered in June 2025 at the Podmalinsko monastery was rejected.