Priest I Beat Addicts to Help Them, Javno (Croatia), May 28, 2009

Priest: I Beat Addicts to Help Them

Javno (Croatia)
May 28, 2009

http://www.javno.com/en-world/priest--i-beat-addicts-to-help-them_261273

Manager of the Spiritual-Rehabilitation Centre Crna Reka Branislav Peranovic was relieved of duty on Wednesday and a church-court process will be started against him over abused clients in the institution under his care. Furthermore, he is facing at least six months is prison.

Peranovic's deputy Dejan Jakovljevic was appointed new manager. The Episcope said that the institution will be closed if the practice of abusing clients is continued.

Beating administered to addicts at the Crna Reka rehabilitation centre

- We were governed by emotions and the need of many parents who sent pleas not to close down the Centre, because this is their only hope that their children will get back on the right track – Artemije told the Press.

Furthermore, he invited state organs to continue with the investigation and suitingly punish everyone responsible for violence. Peranovic said the accepts the Episcope's decision.

- I have been repeating for five years that we apply force to get our clients back on the right track. I never said I didn't do it, some reporters incorrectly reported my statements. No matter how incredible this may sound to someone, I still maintain I beat that unfortunate man to help him – former manager of the Crna Reka Spiritual-Rehabilitation Centre said.

Spiritual-Rehabilitation Centre in Crna Reka received a lot of coverage recently as a vide recording was published, showing two men beating an addict with a shovel and slapping him.