Djuric, Russian ambassador discuss Igor Popovic's arrest

BELGRADE  Serbian FM Marko Djuric met with Russian Ambassador to Belgrade Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko on Thursday to inform him of developments in the Autonomous Province of Kosovo-Metohija and the unfounded and illegal arrest of Assistant Director of the Serbian government Office for Kosovo-Metohija Igor Popovic by the provisional Pristina authorities, and noted that Popovic's urgent release from custody was the primary objective.

"Igor Popovic's arrest is not only a gross violation of fundamental human rights and a breach of legal procedures and proceedings, but also political persecution and a continuation of a broader campaign of intimidation, humiliation and pressure on Serbs in the province, which has especially intensified in the past three years," Djuric said.

He noted that Popovic, as a Serbian official and a member of Belgrade's negotiating team in the EU-facilitated dialogue with Pristina, had been detained just because the Albin Kurti regime had a problem with the truth he had said at a commemoration of Serb victims in Orahovac.

"The primary objective is to ensure Popovic's urgent release and safe return home, and our authorities will take all possible political and legal measures towards the responsible actors while preserving peace and stability," Djuric said.

Djuric again thanked Moscow for its firm and principled position on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia and for understanding the gravity of the position of Kosovo-Metohija Serbs, as well as for the years-long support provided to Serbia on those issues within international organisations.