Tension between police, the son of a priest and two faithful went high on Sunday morning and ended with fines and arrests. The incident took place in the church of Riza, village in Halkidiki, northern Greece, when some neighbors reported to police that the church had opened its doors to believers despite the lockdown ban.
When police arrived there, they found the priest and the chanters as well as two believers inside the church.
They immediate started to write down 300-euro fines for the faithful and a fine of €1,500 for the priest.
The priest’s son and one believer verbally and physically attacked the two police officers slightly injuring them.
Also one of the believers was injured and according to media reports, the pirest’s wife who was also involved in the quarrel.
The two police officers went to Polygyros hospital as a precaution and are in good health.
One of the attackers was arrested and will be taken to the Prosecutor of Halkidiki on Monday.
Under the lockdown restrictions, priests are allowed to perform the religious services only in the presence of essential assistants like the chanters The church doors are closed for the parishioners.
