Tanjug reporter denied entry to Kosovo-Metohija

MERDARE - Tanjug reporter Andjelko Utjesanovic was denied entry to Kosovo-Metohija by the so-called Kosovo Police at the Merdare administrative crossing on Wednesday afternoon.

Utjesanovic was to report on Serbian Patriarch Porfirije's visit to Serbian holy sites in Kosovo-Metohija.

Even though his trip as a member of a Serbian Orthodox Church delegation accompanying the patriarch was announced beforehand, Utjesanovic was denied entry to Kosovo-Metohija without any explanation whatsoever.

The so-called Kosovo Police ordered Utjesanovic to get out of the car and told him he was not allowed to continue the trip as the Pristina government had banned him from entering the territory.

When asked by Utjesanovic to provide an explanation, police officers said they had none and that they were just carrying out a decision by the Pristina interim authorities.

Utjesanovic refused to sign a document on denial of entry to Kosovo-Metohija.

During the visit to Kosovo-Metohija, Patriarch Porfirije will celebrate Orthodox Christmas with Serbs living in the province.