Celic: Indictments against Serbs for terrorism are continuation of Pristina's institutional pressure on our people

Docent at the University of Pristina with a temporary seat in North Mitrovica, Dusko Celic, has assessed that the filing of indictments against four individuals for the criminal offense of "terrorist attack" and obstructing the holding of elections in North Mitrovica last year was a form of institutional pressure from Pristina on Serbs in the north to hinder their survival and presence in Kosovo.

He also points out that this case will not mark the end of such pressures since, as he says, Pristina is announcing new indictments, and the list of suspected Serbs for terrorism and alleged war crimes is long.

"This flood of indictments sends us a message that we will face numerous indictments from Pristina in the future, which are, of course, aimed at destabilizing Serbs. It aims for them to see their perspective and life on Kosovo and Metohija diminishing," Celic said for Kosovo Online, regarding the fact that the Special Prosecutor's Office of Kosovo had filed an indictment against four individuals for the criminal offense of "terrorist attack" because, as stated, they threw two hand grenades at the premises of the Municipal Election Commission in North Mitrovica in early December last year.

Celic explains that the events in front of the MEC in North Mitrovica last year were a revolt and resistance by the dissatisfied people. He emphasizes that they have every right to do so. Filing an indictment after a year, as Celic warns, could be an announcement of new indictments and suspicions for criminal offenses.

"I have to say that, in my opinion, it's nonsensical. Back then, a year ago, there was talk of a popular uprising and protest, the right to resist. Now, dozens of indictments are being raised with indications that there will probably be more in the future with alleged criminal offenses," Celic noted.

Adding that such behavior from Pristina is entirely expected, Celic expressed concern and surprise at the lack of a reaction from the international community.

"I have to say that obviously Pristina believes it can do this. I am very surprised by the foreign factor; I am very surprised by the countries that sponsor the independence of Kosovo, that they watch all this in silence. To be honest, I expect a reaction from Belgrade on this matter because if this continues, I really don't see how Serbs could gather the strength to survive further in Kosovo and Metohija. It's simply impossible to do so unless we all raise our voices and say that such things cannot happen in the dark and that we simply turn on the lights. These are institutional pressures, it seems to me, and really an abuse of institutions that Pristina now has in its hands, and the authorities continue to make life more difficult for Serbs in the north of Kosovo and Metohija," Celic concluded.

The Special Prosecutor's Office has indicted M.M., A.V., D.P., and M.V., accusing them of "destabilization or destruction of the basic political and constitutional structures of the Republic of Kosovo."

According to the statement from the Special Prosecutor's Office, the defendants, along with unidentified individuals, "committed a terrorist attack" by throwing two hand grenades towards the MEC.

It is stated that one grenade exploded, causing significant material damage, and that the lives of MEC officials and the police were endangered.