Gouillon: Kurti's 'culture by force' is yet another form of violence against Serbs in Kosovo

Arnaud Gouillon, Director of the Office for Public and Cultural Diplomacy, responded to the completion of the renovation of the house of Nazi collaborator Xhafer Deva in South Mitrovica, calling Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s “culture by force” yet another form of violence against Serbs.

According to Gouillon, this project has been announced in Kosovar media as the new "Regional Cultural Heritage Center."

As a guest on the morning show of TV Pink, Gouillon stated that Xhafer Deva was the head of Kosovska Mitrovica during the fascist occupation of Kosovo until 1943. Later, during the Nazi occupation, he became Albania’s Minister of Internal Affairs.

"Deva was one of the founders of the SS Skanderbeg division and is responsible for many crimes committed in Kosovo and Metohija during the fascist and Nazi occupation. Albin Kurti began the renovation of his house, initially with support from European institution funds; however, thanks to the reaction of the Serbian government, which appealed against this as unacceptable, the funding was stopped. Although Pristina could no longer rely on foreign support, it continued to fund the renovation independently," Gouillon stated.

The Office for Public and Cultural Diplomacy had previously warned both the domestic and international public that the reconstruction of Xhafer Deva's house would not contribute to interethnic harmony or trust-building in Kosovo.

"In an atmosphere of glorifying those who committed mass violence and persecution against Serbs, Jews, and Roma during World War II in Kosovo and Metohija, trust and coexistence cannot be built. Just 350 meters from this house is the municipality of North Kosovska Mitrovica, where violence against Serbs by the so-called Kosovo police has intensified over an extended period, all under the guise of 'law and order.' The mass violence continues today, and the glorification of Xhafer Deva’s legacy serves as motivation for those committing new acts of violence, suggesting that their names will be absolved of responsibility in the future," Gouillon emphasized.

The Director of the Office for Public and Cultural Diplomacy believes that no one from the international community will appear at Xhafer Deva's house, as this would be a scandal of unprecedented proportions.

"It would signify the celebration of a war criminal and the revision of history," Gouillon concluded.