Escalating Tensions in Kosovo: Serbian Community Faces Repression
Recent arrests and expulsions of Serbs from Kosovo prompt strong responses from authorities in Serbia.
The Kosovo Office for Kosovo and Metohija has issued a statement regarding the recent series of arrests and expulsions of Serbs living in Kosovo.
The office claimed that such actions represent an unprecedented campaign of repression led by Prime Minister Albin Kurti against the Serbian population, allegedly aimed at ethnic cleansing.
This charge came in the wake of ongoing tensions following the Kosovo authorities' actions against Serbs, particularly those employed in law enforcement in central Serbia.
According to the statement, Kurti's administration has reportedly continued a trend of arbitrary arrests and expulsions targeting Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, specifically focusing on individuals associated with the central Serbian police forces.
Among the recent cases is that of Milan Zlatanović, a 44-year-old father of three from Veliko Ropotovo, who has been employed in the police force in Niš for nearly two decades.
Zlatanović was reportedly detained this morning by Kurti's police at the Končul border crossing, after which he was transferred to a deportation center in Pristina and subsequently expelled back to central Serbia.
The Kosovo Office described Zlatanović's detention as politically motivated and lacking any legal justification, asserting that he is the latest victim of reprisals by Pristina officials.
It was stated that legal assistance has been provided to Zlatanović and several other Serbs who were also expelled from Kosovo in recent days.
The officials expressed their commitment to advocating for their rights through diplomatic channels.
In a broader context, the office reported that, under Kurti's directives, five Serbian police officers residing in the Kosovo Pomoravlje region have been barred from entering Kosovo, preventing them from returning home and reuniting with their families.
The Kosovo Office criticized the apparent inaction of the international community in response to these developments, labeling Kurti's policies as reminiscent of fascism and calling for a response from those responsible for ensuring the security and rights of Serbs in the region.
The office noted that it has maintained direct communication with representatives of the European Union over the past two days regarding the recent escalations in Pristina's actions and has kept international representatives informed of the situation.
The office claimed that such actions represent an unprecedented campaign of repression led by Prime Minister Albin Kurti against the Serbian population, allegedly aimed at ethnic cleansing.
This charge came in the wake of ongoing tensions following the Kosovo authorities' actions against Serbs, particularly those employed in law enforcement in central Serbia.
According to the statement, Kurti's administration has reportedly continued a trend of arbitrary arrests and expulsions targeting Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, specifically focusing on individuals associated with the central Serbian police forces.
Among the recent cases is that of Milan Zlatanović, a 44-year-old father of three from Veliko Ropotovo, who has been employed in the police force in Niš for nearly two decades.
Zlatanović was reportedly detained this morning by Kurti's police at the Končul border crossing, after which he was transferred to a deportation center in Pristina and subsequently expelled back to central Serbia.
The Kosovo Office described Zlatanović's detention as politically motivated and lacking any legal justification, asserting that he is the latest victim of reprisals by Pristina officials.
It was stated that legal assistance has been provided to Zlatanović and several other Serbs who were also expelled from Kosovo in recent days.
The officials expressed their commitment to advocating for their rights through diplomatic channels.
In a broader context, the office reported that, under Kurti's directives, five Serbian police officers residing in the Kosovo Pomoravlje region have been barred from entering Kosovo, preventing them from returning home and reuniting with their families.
The Kosovo Office criticized the apparent inaction of the international community in response to these developments, labeling Kurti's policies as reminiscent of fascism and calling for a response from those responsible for ensuring the security and rights of Serbs in the region.
The office noted that it has maintained direct communication with representatives of the European Union over the past two days regarding the recent escalations in Pristina's actions and has kept international representatives informed of the situation.
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