Arsenijevic after being released from custody: We are defending what is ours, political trickery will not deter us

Leader of Serbian Democracy Aleksandar Arsenijevic, after spending a few hours in the police station, was released from custody along with his colleague Stefan Veljkovic. He stated that "political persecution and trickery carried out by certain police officers" will not stop the Serbian people.

Speaking to reporters gathered at the main bridge in the northern part of Mitrovica, Arsenijevic explained that he and Veljkovic were accused of obstructing an official in the performance of their duties, despite not knowing who the officers were and who the patrons of the former "Dolce Vita" café were, where the incident occurred.

"The café's patrons were mostly Albanians, who attacked us. At that moment, the police did not set up a clear barrier, cordon, or anything else that would indicate where we could pass freely in the public space," Arsenijevic said.

He emphasized that they reported to the police officer on the scene that the monument to the Milic Brothers and the national symbol of the constitutionally recognized community of Kosovo Serbs were being desecrated.

"We encountered a lack of understanding and were puzzled that the police characterized us as extremists instead of the people desecrating our monuments," he added.

Regarding their fellow citizen Stevica Jovic, who jumped in to help and defend them, Arsenijevic does not expect a different fate from theirs.

"We call on people for peace and tolerance and to protect what is ours. This political persecution and trickery carried out by certain police officers, not all, will not stop us but will encourage us even more, knowing that we are on the right path. I thank everyone for their support," he added.

"Today was a defense of our identity, our ethnic belonging, to show that we are Serbs and that we will live here. Our grandfathers and great-grandfathers lived here, and so will we. This is a message for everyone. Despite all the differences we have, today we showed one thing – that we are all for one, and one for all," stated the leader of Serbian Democracy.

He showed the gathered reporters the marks from the handcuffs on his wrists.

“We were handcuffed for an hour and a half; we have the marks to prove it. They didn't allow us to call a lawyer or inform our families, they only demanded that we turn off our phones,” Arsenijevic said after his release.

Arsenijevic after being released from custody: We are defending what is ours, political trickery will not deter us

Leader of Serbian Democracy Aleksandar Arsenijevic, after spending a few hours in the police station, was released from custody along with his colleague Stefan Veljkovic. He stated that "political persecution and trickery carried out by certain police officers" will not stop the Serbian people.

Speaking to reporters gathered at the main bridge in the northern part of Mitrovica, Arsenijevic explained that he and Veljkovic were accused of obstructing an official in the performance of their duties, despite not knowing who the officers were and who the patrons of the former "Dolce Vita" café were, where the incident occurred.

"The café's patrons were mostly Albanians, who attacked us. At that moment, the police did not set up a clear barrier, cordon, or anything else that would indicate where we could pass freely in the public space," Arsenijevic said.

He emphasized that they reported to the police officer on the scene that the monument to the Milic Brothers and the national symbol of the constitutionally recognized community of Kosovo Serbs were being desecrated.

"We encountered a lack of understanding and were puzzled that the police characterized us as extremists instead of the people desecrating our monuments," he added.

Regarding their fellow citizen Stevica Jovic, who jumped in to help and defend them, Arsenijevic does not expect a different fate from theirs.

"We call on people for peace and tolerance and to protect what is ours. This political persecution and trickery carried out by certain police officers, not all, will not stop us but will encourage us even more, knowing that we are on the right path. I thank everyone for their support," he added.

"Today was a defense of our identity, our ethnic belonging, to show that we are Serbs and that we will live here. Our grandfathers and great-grandfathers lived here, and so will we. This is a message for everyone. Despite all the differences we have, today we showed one thing – that we are all for one, and one for all," stated the leader of Serbian Democracy.

He showed the gathered reporters the marks from the handcuffs on his wrists.

“We were handcuffed for an hour and a half; we have the marks to prove it. They didn't allow us to call a lawyer or inform our families, they only demanded that we turn off our phones,” Arsenijevic said after his release.