Djuric on the allegations of Alicia Kearns: Deeply worrying spread of false accusations; she owes an apology to the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Serbs

Marko Đurić
Source: Kosovo Online

The Ambassador of Serbia to the US, Marko Djuric, said that the accusations against the Serbian Orthodox Church, made by the British MP Alicia Kearns, which were refuted by the KFOR Mission, were deeply worrying, especially considering the consequences they could cause in a situation like this in Kosovo pointing out that at least Kearns owes an apology to the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Serbian community.

"I want to address the recent false claims made by Alicia Kearns, a member of the Conservative Party in the British Parliament, regarding the monasteries of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo and Metohija. In these matters, it is crucial to give priority to factual information and to rely on credible sources," Djuric said in a post on Twitter.

Firstly, and most importantly, he pointed to the immediate response and denial of the KFOR Mission operating in Kosovo, stating that their unequivocal denial of those allegations should be considered an authoritative position on this matter.

As a mission dedicated to maintaining peace, security, and stability in the region, their statement carried significant weight, Djuric wrote.

"It is deeply concerning to witness the spread of such baseless accusations, especially given the potential consequences they may have on the delicate balance in Kosovo*. Bearing this in mind, we must remember the events during the March pogrom in 2004, when similar false accusations led to the destruction and desecration of Serbian cultural and religious buildings - 35 churches and monasteries, among them even those on the UNESCO World Heritage List - and ethnic cleansing of towns and villages inhabited by the Serbs, causing considerable damage and raising tensions. We cannot allow ourselves to repeat the mistakes of the past," the Ambassador of Serbia emphasized.

Regarding Albin Kurti's allusion, which insinuates the possibility that Alicia Kearns' claims are true, Djuric stated that it was irresponsible to make such insinuations without concrete evidence, especially considering the lack of credibility in the allegations and KFOR's denial.

"Let's not forget that the monasteries of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo and Metohija have enormous cultural and religious value for the Serbs. Any attempt to tarnish their reputation is both baseless and malicious, and it is our duty to protect and preserve these priceless heritage values," he wrote.

Djuric, therefore, stated that bearing in mind the gravity of Alicia Kearns' harmful statement, at least an apology to the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Serbian community would be in order.

"I also believe that the relevant British authorities should investigate in a public and transparent manner her motives for making these deeply damaging and false accusations - playing with the narrative of the radical diaspora associated with Kurti," the Serbian Ambassador noted.

He said that Serbia remained committed to promoting peace, stability, and dialogue in the region.

"We call on all political leaders to be careful, responsible, and respect the truth when dealing with such sensitive issues. Encouraging understanding and reconciliation among all communities is essential for building a better future," Djuric concluded.