Djuric: Demolition of properties, works at monastery deliberate pressure on Serbs

BELGRADE - Serbian FM Marko Djuric said on Thursday that demolition of properties in the Kosovo-Metohija Zubin Potok municipality, illegal works at the Serbian Orthodox monastery of Visoki Decani and administrative barriers hindering pilgrims represented "a deliberate pattern of pressure" on Serb property rights and freedom of religion.

In a post on X, Djuric wrote that Albin Kurti’s government was "once again demonstrating its disregard for the rule of law and the rights of Kosovo Serbs."

"In just the past few days we have seen: the demolition of Serb properties at Lake Gazivode despite pending court cases and EU warnings; illegal works inside the protected zone of Visoki Decani in violation of Kosovo’s own legislation and the 2020 agreement; and new administrative barriers aimed at hindering Serbian Orthodox pilgrims.

These are not isolated technical issues. They represent a deliberate pattern of pressure on Serb property rights, freedom of religion, and a UNESCO World Heritage site," Djuric noted.

"I strongly believe that the international presence, the EU, OSCE and KFOR within its mandate, should react decisively to halt these faits accomplis and uphold the rule of law," he concluded.

In a reaction to a previous wave of demolitions at Gazivode, the EU requested an urgent halt to any further action, while the embassies of Germany and the UK called for respect for rule of law.