Two monuments destroyed and desecrated at Orthodox cemetery near Obilic

Unknown individuals have knocked down and vandalized two gravestones at the new Orthodox cemetery in Plemetina near Obilic. Residents of this predominantly Serb village have notified the police so that the perpetrators can be identified and punished, RTS reports.

Residents of Plemetina noticed today that the plaque on the monument of Spasa Jakovljevic had been torn down, while the pedestal, vases, and cross of the monument of Slavica Jakovljevic were demolished.

The police have launched an investigation, conducting an on-site inspection, collecting fingerprints, and securing other available evidence.

Petar Jakovljevic, a relative of the deceased whose monuments were damaged, said that this is already the fourth time the new Orthodox cemetery in Plemetina has been targeted.

“I informed the police in Obilic, and I informed the international human rights community in Obilic. We do not suspect anyone—it would be a sin to say that I suspect someone—but someone did this. Who it was, let the competent prosecuting authorities investigate; let the executive authorities in Kosovo do their job and resolve these problems,” Jakovljevic told RTS.

He added that Serbs are disturbed by this act of vandalism.

“If this continues—because until now it had not happened in Plemetina—it has started now. If it continues, since we are a predominantly Serb village, it seems we bother someone. Why, whom, how, and for what reason—I could not say, nor would I know how to,” Petar Jakovljevic warned.

Goran Dančetovic, a councillor of Srpska Lista in the local assembly in Obilic, warned that this was a vandal act exerting pressure on all Serbs living in Plemetina and throughout the municipality.

“Plemetina has had harmonious relations with all its neighbors, and this is a step backward in our relations. The material damage is minor, but the immaterial damage is far greater—someone has disturbed the Jakovljevic family and all other Orthodox believers who are buried here, creating the feeling that even their deceased are not safe here,” Dančetovic said.

Condemning the destruction of the monuments, Dančetovic announced that he would finance their repair and restoration to their original condition.

Around 800 Serbs live in Plemetina.