Serbia continues propaganda, Djuric talks with the ambassadors of Russia and China about the arrest of Popovic

Serbia continues propaganda, Djuric talks with the ambassadors of Russia and China about the arrest of Popovic

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric held separate meetings with the ambassadors of Russia and China in Belgrade, with whom he discussed the arrest in Kosovo of the assistant director of the Office for Kosovo in the Serbian Government, Igor Popovic.

The Serbian chief diplomat has described Popovic’s arrest as “unfounded and illegal.”

Popovic was sent to a month-long detention after, on July 18, during the commemoration of the so-called “murder of Serbs” in Rahovec, he called the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) a “terrorist organization.”

Authorities in Kosovo say he is suspected of the criminal offense of “inciting discord and intolerance.”

Djuric said that Popovic’s arrest constitutes “political persecution and a continuation of a broader campaign of intimidation, humiliation and pressure against the Serbian people” in Kosovo.

The Serbian foreign minister assessed that dialogue with Kosovo “is not possible under the current circumstances” and added that Serbia is counting on the support of all relevant international factors for the speedy release of Popović.

Kosovo and Serbia are conducting a dialogue to normalize relations, a process mediated by the European Union.

Belgrade, meanwhile, is counting on the support of Russia and China in international organizations to oppose Kosovo’s independence.

Officials in Serbia have condemned Popovic’s arrest, calling it a “political decision.” They are demanding his immediate release and protection for missions operating in Kosovo.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has warned Kosovo of “unforeseen consequences”, a statement that has been described as a threat by Kosovo’s acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti. Kurti has asked the international community to react “clearly and decisively to Vučić’s threats”, which he says could destabilize the entire Western Balkans region.

The acting Minister of Internal Affairs of Kosovo, Xhelal Sveçla, has stated that Kosovo will not tolerate insults and desecration of history and the war led by the KLA.

The KLA was a political-military force that fought for the liberation of Kosovo from Serbian rule in the period 1990-1999.

During the war in Kosovo in 1998/99, more than 13.000 civilians were killed, while thousands more went missing.

Around 1.600 people, mostly Albanians, have not yet been found.

Over the years, Kosovo’s justice authorities have charged or convicted several people for war crimes. During the conference, Kurti said that Serbia has yet to apologize for the crimes committed in Kosovo. /REL