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Serb priest fired for 'beatings' Serb priest fired for 'beatings'
(about 19 hours later)
The priest in charge of a drug treatment centre where patients were allegedly beaten has been dismissed, the Serbian Orthodox Church said.The priest in charge of a drug treatment centre where patients were allegedly beaten has been dismissed, the Serbian Orthodox Church said.
Branislav Peranovic was no longer in charge of Crna Reka centre, 187 miles (300km) from Belgrade, Bishop Artemije said after video of beatings was shown. Archpriest Branislav Peranovic was no longer in charge of Crna Reka centre, near Novi Pazar, Bishop Artemije said after video of beatings was shown.
The centre remained open on the request of patients, the bishop said, but would be shut if beatings occurred. The centre remained open on the request of patients, the bishop added, but would be shut if beatings occurred.
The church said state authorities had been asked to investigate the violence.The church said state authorities had been asked to investigate the violence.
Criminal charges against the centre and the priest have been filed by the government's human rights watchdog, Sasa Jankovic, Reuters news agency reported.Criminal charges against the centre and the priest have been filed by the government's human rights watchdog, Sasa Jankovic, Reuters news agency reported.
The church's ruling body, the Holy Synod, had asked Bishop Artemije to shut the centre last week.The church's ruling body, the Holy Synod, had asked Bishop Artemije to shut the centre last week.
But in a statement on Wednesday, he said: "We will shut down the facility if the reports about beatings and violence persist."But in a statement on Wednesday, he said: "We will shut down the facility if the reports about beatings and violence persist."
There had been "numerous pleadings by the patients and their parents" to keep the centre open, he added.There had been "numerous pleadings by the patients and their parents" to keep the centre open, he added.
About 200 patients are treated at the centre near the city of Novi Pazar. About 200 patients are treated at the centre near the city of Novi Pazar, about 185 miles (300km) from Belgrade.
A video of one assault, published by Vreme magazine, shows a man appearing to assault a patient by hitting him with a shovel and punching his face.A video of one assault, published by Vreme magazine, shows a man appearing to assault a patient by hitting him with a shovel and punching his face.
Archpriest Peranovic had earlier told B92 television a "heavy hand" was needed.Archpriest Peranovic had earlier told B92 television a "heavy hand" was needed.
"Whoever has a junkie in the house knows what I am talking about.""Whoever has a junkie in the house knows what I am talking about."