Djuric: We demand Popovic's urgent release, sanctions for Pristina

BELGRADE - Serbian FM Marko Djuric said on Thursday Serbia demanded an urgent release from custody of Igor Popovic, assistant director of its Office for Kosovo-Metohija, and sanctions for Pristina institutions responsible for his arrest, and noted that Belgrade's response would be stern, serious and responsible.

Speaking to the RTS, Djuric said Serbia would insist on sanctions for decision-makers behind an "orchestrated campaign of pressure and violence" against Serbs in the Autonomous Province of Kosovo-Metohija since the beginning of 2022.

"Very soon, you will see concrete diplomatic, political as well as legal steps by our state authorities towards decision-makers in this case and similar cases. What follows is a serious, multilayered response by the Serbian state that President (Aleksandar) Vucic, too, has announced. Therefore, we will respond sternly, seriously and responsibly," Djuric said.

He noted that Serbia was committed to peace and stability in the region and that no action would be undertaken that could worsen the position of the Serbs, above all, in Kosovo-Metohija, but that steps would be taken to deal a severe blow to those making such decisions.

"I am talking about legal and diplomatic steps," Djuric noted.