The Diocese of Raška and Prizren Deeply Concerned About Recent Arrests of Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija and the Deterioration of Interethnic Relations

The Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Raška and Prizren expresses its deepest concern regarding today’s arrest of five Kosovo Serbs: Dragan Cvetković, Dragan Bilić, Miloš Šošić, Slobodan Jevtić, and Dragan Ničić, who were detained by Kosovo police today in the village of Pasjane in the Kosovo Pomoravlje region. These arrests, based on accusations of alleged crimes committed 25 years ago during the Kosovo conflict, raise serious questions about the motives and methods of the local Kosovo authorities.

For the past 25 years, these individuals have lived peacefully in their village with their families, respected as good hosts, and, to our knowledge, without any record of illegal activities. One of the arrested, Miloš Šošić, even worked in the Kosovo police and passed all necessary security checks. Dragan Cvetković is a disabled person and the father of a local priest. This long-standing integration and service to the community stand in stark contrast to the sudden and severe accusations against them.

Based on our knowledge, there are clear indications that these arrests may be politically motivated, aiming to instill fear among the Serbian population in Kosovo and Metohija. Reports indicate that the arrests were carried out without appropriate legal warrants and based on secret lists, further suggesting a concerning pattern of arbitrary detentions. This pattern, unfortunately, has become increasingly common in recent years, leading to the arrest of several Serbs who have been accessible to judicial and police authorities for years and have not been disturbed, but who are now held in custody without clear evidence. Some of them have later been released without formal charges or evidence of guilt. While in custody, as the Diocese learns, a significant number of them experience discomfort and deprivation of basic rights and freedoms.

Such actions deeply concern the Serbian Orthodox Church, which is primarily dedicated to the spiritual care of its faithful. The use of arbitrary arrests as a means of intimidation not only undermines the rule of law but also creates an atmosphere of fear and insecurity among the Serbian population. It is important to emphasize that in democratic societies, individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty. However, in Kosovo, it seems that Serbs are often presumed guilty a priori, with the burden placed on them to prove their innocence – a process that can last for months and cause serious trauma to the detainees and their families.

We are deeply disturbed by the reports of the manner in which these arrests were carried out. According to eyewitnesses and family members, the Kosovo police acted aggressively during these arrests, reportedly including breaking doors and mistreating elderly individuals in front of their families. Such treatment is not only inhumane but also counterproductive to the goals of peace and reconciliation in the region.

This practice of arbitrary arrest and detention, accompanied by violence and intimidation, is not only a flagrant violation of human rights but also contributes to a broader strategy of what Kosovo Serbs today understandablz see as open ethnic repression with the aim of ethnically cleansing the Serbian population from areas where they have lived for centuries. Our Diocese therefore calls on international representatives in Kosovo and beyond to recognize the serious consequences of such actions by Kosovo authorities and raise their voices. These methods of the Pristina authorities create increasing ethnic instability and contribute to an environment where Serbs feel increasingly unsafe and unwanted. This instability is detrimental to the international mission in Kosovo, which aims for reconciliation and the establishment of normal, peaceful coexistence, a goal that remains elusive even 25 years after the conflict. The interethnic situation has never been worse, and the gross violation of human rights further isolates Kosovo’s society, weakens economic development, increases unemployment, and encourages emigration.

The rule of law and justice are the foundations of any functioning society. However, they must not be abused for the purpose of ethnic repression. The Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Raška and Prizren appeals to the authorities in Kosovo to adhere to principles of justice and fairness, ensuring that all accusations are based on clear evidence and appropriate legal procedures, not on arbitrary arrests, intimidation, and secret lists that appear 25 years after the armed conflict. Moreover, the Church calls on the international community to more actively monitor these events and advocate more strongly for the rights and safety of all citizens, especially the non-majority population that is at risk.

We also expect the government in Belgrade to continue providing all necessary legal assistance to the detained individuals, ensuring that their rights are protected and that they receive a fair trial. The Serbian Orthodox Church expresses full solidarity with the families of the arrested, sending a message of support and resilience. Such acts of repression should not intimidate us but strengthen our resolve to continue living in our ancestral homes with dignity and peace.

It is regrettable that these arrests occur at a sensitive time when dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina should progress and bring stability and economic prosperity to the region. Instead, such actions by the authorities in Pristina indicate a lack of genuine readiness for dialogue and show a tendency to strengthen ethnic antagonism for populist political goals. This approach only serves to create a fait accompli situation, making reconciliation and peaceful coexistence even more difficult, which is not in the interest of Serbs, Albanians, or other citizens in Kosovo and Metohija.

Our Church, therefore, remains committed to its spiritual and humanitarian mission, advocating for the safety and rights of its faithful and peace among all inhabitants in Kosovo and Metohija. We call on all parties to act constructively, with respect for the law, human rights, and in the spirit of true reconciliation. The use of arbitrary arrests, the creation of a systematic atmosphere of ethnic persecution, and intimidation must cease, and efforts should be directed towards building a society where all individuals, regardless of their ethnic or religious origin, can live in peace, dignity, and security.

SOC Diocese of Raška and Prizren

August 3, 2024

Gračanica-Prizren