Pristina's prosecutors indict Popovic for allegedly causing discord

PRISTINA - A special prosecutor's office in Pristina has indicted the assistant director of the Serbian government Office for Kosovo-Metohija, Igor Popovic, for allegedly committing the criminal offence of "causing discord and intolerance".

Under the indictment, Popovic is charged with intentionally fostering and publicly spreading hatred and intolerance among ethnic groups on July 18 in Orahovac, Kosovo-Metohija.

The indictment also alleges that Popovic used hate speech in a public address, and quotes him as saying the "Kosovo Liberation Army" was a terrorist organisation and that "we need to keep trying to keep Velika Hoca and Orahovac Serbian."

In a statement, the prosecutor's office claimed Popovic had pleaded guilty and entered a plea bargain with a basic court.

Popovic was arrested at the Brnjak administrative crossing on July 18 after referring to the "Kosovo Liberation Army" as a terrorist organisation at a commemoration for Serbs killed in the Orahovac area in 1998 and 1999.

On July 20, he was placed in custody for up to 30 days.