Criminal charges over rehab beatings

Parents of a drug addicts formerly treated at the Crna Reka rehab center will file criminal complaints against the persons who took part in his beating. The man, identified as 23-year-old D.P. of Zajecar in eastern Serbia, was shown brutally beaten in a video that recently surfaced on the internet. Criminal charges over rehab beatings D.P. told B92 that he was treated at the center in southwestern Serbia three times since 2006. In that time, according to him, he was beaten severely two times by the rehab's so-called associates, i.e. former patients, but also the center's director, priest Branislav Peranovic. His parents paid up to EUR 300 a month for the treatment of his addiction. However, a number of other parents agree with the methods used in Crna Reka. On Saturday, they issued a statement saying that public showing of the type of treatment practiced at the center was not benefiting their children. They also voiced full confidence in the work of those employed at the spiritual rehab center, located on monastery grounds. But, the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church disagrees with the brutal methods and has called for the illegal center to be shut down. The Synod also wants a church court procedure to be initiated against those responsible.

Criminal charges over rehab beatings

D.P. told B92 that he was treated at the center in southwestern Serbia three times since 2006.

In that time, according to him, he was beaten severely two times by the rehab's so-called associates, i.e. former patients, but also the center's director, priest Branislav Peranović.

His parents paid up to EUR 300 a month for the treatment of his addiction.

However, a number of other parents agree with the methods used in Crna Reka. On Saturday, they issued a statement saying that public showing of the type of treatment practiced at the center was not benefiting their children.

They also voiced full confidence in the work of those employed at the spiritual rehab center, located on monastery grounds.

But, the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church disagrees with the brutal methods and has called for the illegal center to be shut down.

The Synod also wants a church court procedure to be initiated against those responsible.