Radojevic: Citizens expect the liberation of their municipalities in the north

Candidate for mayor of North Mitrovica Milan Radojevic emphasized that the upcoming local elections in Kosovo are of special importance for Serbs, who expect the liberation of municipalities in the north of Kosovo above all.

Radojevic told RTS that three years ago, with just over a hundred votes, people unknown to the citizens but known to Albin Kurti came to lead the four municipalities in the north.

“For the past three years, citizens have endured terror, which began with the confiscation of buildings housing Serbian institutions, continued with the mass closure of facilities, and was followed by the seizure of apartments and houses under the pretext that there was no proof of property ownership. It went on with political repression and raids on institutions, the arrest of young people wearing fan-group T-shirts, and the takeover of the sports hall to prevent children from doing sports. In the past three years, sports and cultural life in the north of Kosovo has withered away. Our children have been banned from competing in tournaments organized by Serbia, actors have been banned from visiting Kosovo and Metohija. In short, a general administrative and police repression has been carried out in the north of Kosovo,” he explained.

Radojevic stressed that this is why these elections are crucial for citizens who rightly expect all this to stop and for the situation to return to normal, allowing them a normal life and the right to freedom of speech.
Asked how unfair the electoral contest he is participating in is, Radojevic said the situation is extremely difficult.

“It is no secret that since coming to power Kurti has tried to ban the Serb List. Our candidates are under constant pressure and face threats from judicial authorities in Pristina. However, what is certain is that the citizens expect freedom in their municipalities,” he underlined.

As an example of the fight against the Serb List, Radojevic pointed out that in the municipality of North Mitrovica, the smallest one, ten candidates are running for mayor and there are 13 councilor lists.

“All of those lists, even those that call themselves Serbian, are against the Serb List. In their programs and campaigns, they do not criticize municipal decisions or Albin Kurti’s decisions with a single word, but focus all their efforts on attacking the Serb List. It is no secret that Kurti is trying to abolish the municipality of North Mitrovica and merge it with South Mitrovica,” he criticized.

According to him, citizens are aware of the importance of the upcoming elections, and he expressed confidence that they will vote for the Serb List so that it can liberate North Mitrovica and other municipalities in Kosovo.

Radojevic pointed out that when Serbs withdrew from the institutions in 2022, highlighting the difficult situation of the Serbian people, they believed that the international community would react.

“We expected KFOR and the Quint representatives. Unfortunately, we saw that apart from anemic statements, Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija received no concrete help. And we expected it. Back in 2022, with the opening of police bases, we warned about the seriousness of the moment. Unfortunately, we saw that we cannot expect help from the representatives of the international community. It is left to the citizens to elect their representatives in these elections and to continue fighting for their rights through the institutions,” he explained.

Radojevic said that the latest decision by the Independent Media Commission is just another in a series of measures exerting pressure on the Serb List and Serbs.

“Imagine, we are not allowed to use the word ‘terror,’ but what else should we call what the citizens are living through here? This is just a continuation of the pressure that has lasted since Kurti came to power. It is certain that Kurti will not stop, and who knows what else he will come up with just to prevent the Serb List from coming to power,” he said.

Radojevic stressed that the only constant in these difficult times has always been the steady support of Serbia, the president, the government, and the Office for Kosovo and Metohija.

“Despite all the pressures we face, the state of Serbia has always stood by its citizens. The state of Serbia is present to the extent that circumstances allow. A vote for the Serb List is a vote for the state of Serbia,” he underlined.