Macut condemns Igor Popovic's arrest in strongest terms

BELGRADE - Serbian PM Djuro Macut condemned in the strongest terms on Monday the arrest of the assistant director of the Serbian government Office for Kosovo-Metohija, Igor Popovic, by the provisional authorities in Pristina.

"This is another in a series of brutal examples of violations of fundamental human rights and freedoms, above all, the freedom of movement and the freedom of expression. The arrest of a man just because he is speaking the truth and working in the interest of his people is a clear message that there is no place for dialogue and normalisation in Pristina's policy," Macut said.

According to a government statement, Macut requested Popovic's urgent and unconditional release and noted that his arrest was completely unfounded and politically motivated.

"Serbia will not give up on protecting its people in Kosovo-Metohija. We will continue to advocate peace, as well as justice and dignity of every one of our people. Igor Popovic's arrest is not just an attack on one man, but also on the values shared by all those who believe in dialogue, truth and freedom," Macut noted.