Niksic

The Higher State Prosecution launched an investigation into the mass killings in July 2019, and political parties and civic activists called on the authorities to exhume the remains from the cave and identify the victims.

Serbian Orthodox Church Metropolitan Joanikije and Patriarch Porfirije. Photo: Serbian Orthodox Church.

Bishop Joanikije of Budimlja-Niksic. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Bishop Joanikije of Niksic and seven other priests were placed in custody for 72 hours on Tuesday for violating the ban on public gatherings after they and Metropolitan Amfilohije led a procession in the town to celebrate St Vasilije's Day on Tuesday with thousands of believers.

Niksic, the SDP's former secretary general and leader for the past year, was re-elected as party president for the next four years in polls on Sunday.

"This is a great victory, not only for the SDP but for Bosnia and Herzegovina as well," Niksic told a press conference on Sunday night.