Djuric: Arrests of pilgrims on Vidovdan in Kosovo contrary to fundamental rights

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric stated today that the arrests and harassment of pilgrims during the Vidovdan commemoration in Kosovo are contrary to fundamental rights and reflect the ongoing disregard of international obligations by Kurti's government.

“I am deeply concerned by reports of arrests and harassment of Serbian pilgrims during the Vidovdan commemoration in Kosovo and Metohija,” Djuric wrote on the social media platform X.

He emphasized that religious and cultural freedoms must be respected.

“The international community must not remain silent and passive,” Djuric stressed.

During the Vidovdan commemoration in front of the Gracanica Monastery, police yesterday detained V.P., the organizer of the pilgrimage.

He was leading a group of pilgrims from Belgrade who, in front of the monastery, wore red, blue, and white T-shirts bearing the inscription “United Serbia.”

Kosovo police also detained several individuals of Serbian nationality at Gazimestan yesterday. Around 15 people were taken into custody “for singing nationalist songs,” including a 12-year-old girl who shouted “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia.”

Police intervened against two Serbs at Gazimestan—one attempted to enter the site with a Serbian flag, while the other was stopped for carrying a plastic toy gun. Stefan Veljkovic, Vice President of the Serbian Democracy party, was also detained at Gazimestan.