Milovic: Presidents of the temporary municipal authorities summoned for questioning by the police

The Vice President of the Serbian List, Dragisa Milovic, announced this evening that the presidents of the temporary municipal authorities in the north have been summoned for questioning by the police on September 5th, under the accusation of document forgery.

This refers to the presidents of the Temporary Authorities of Kosovska Mitrovica, Zvecan, and Leposavic—Ivan Zaporozac, Ivan Todosijevic, and Zoran Todic—along with the Director of the Pension and Disability Insurance Fund (PIO) for Kosovo, Igor Simic, and the Director of the PIO Fund Directorate for Kosovska Mitrovica, Milan Radojevic.

Milovic pointed out the extremely difficult situation that Serbs in Kosovo are facing after the recent actions of the Kosovo authorities, including the raid on Serbian institutions and their closure, noting that 5,000 people have been left on the streets.

In an interview with RTS, Milovic stated that there is great tension and uncertainty among Serbs in Kosovo, with concerns about what tomorrow will bring and what the next move by Pristina and Albin Kurti will be.

"For five days, our fellow citizens have been trying to reach their workplaces, which the Kosovo police have occupied, such as the PIO Fund, the Public Utility Company, and the Temporary Municipal Authorities. Considering that workers in the north have been out of their jobs for a year now, around 5,000 people are unable to exercise their basic right to work and are on the streets. How will they ensure a livelihood for themselves and their families? It is evident that Kurti planned this move precisely during the start of the school year to further complicate an already difficult life and force Serbs to leave this area on their own," he explained.

Milovic emphasized that Serbs are deprived of everything.

He recalled that around 30,000 pensioners, including 4,600 Albanians, used the services of the PIO Fund, and he questioned how they will now exercise their legally guaranteed rights.

He pointed out that the temporary authorities were responsible for paying social assistance, child benefits, and registering births and deaths.

"These are the problems we will increasingly face. We fear what’s next. We are deprived of goods and food, dinars, the post offices and banks are closed, we don’t have freedom of movement, and institutions are shut down. Will education and healthcare be next?" he asked.

He stressed that Serbs are afraid of what awaits them next.

"We see that Serbs are being arrested based on the statements of two witnesses, because of social media posts, or for singing songs. We appeal for our state to protect and help us, as well as all institutions that have this responsibility under UN Resolution 1244," Milovic emphasized.

He conveyed that he, along with his colleagues from the Serbian List, had discussions with representatives of Quint and KFOR and conveyed that the situation on the ground is worse than it was on March 17, 2004, when Albanians carried out a pogrom against Serbs in Kosovo.

"We told the representatives of KFOR and Quint to allow us a peaceful, safe life. We want to live in peace on our land and for our families to see a future here," he emphasized.

Milovic stated that it is known that about 80 prominent Serbs are on a list for arrest and that this is all part of the psychological pressure being exerted on Serbs.

He said that the goal is to send a message to Serbs that they are not safe and have no future in Kosovo.

"We have decided to stay, but we need comprehensive support from Serbia. We already have it, but we need even more. It’s good that job openings and employment have started because it’s the only way to keep young people. But we also need protection. Albanians are advancing in the north. The provocations are directed towards children and women. We see attempts to change the ethnic structure of North Mitrovica. Shops are being leased to Albanians without the possibility for Serbs to participate in tenders. There are plans to build 200 houses for Albanians. Someone must put a stop to this terror, because if this continues, our silent exodus is inevitable," Milovic warned.

He also said that the message to Serbs is to remain united, cohesive, and patient.

"This too shall pass. Every regime that resorts to such violence is known to be at its end. We are Serbs in our homeland here. As long as we Serbs are in Kosovo and Metohija, the doors of Kosovo are not closed to Serbia. But it is impossible to endure what our people have endured for 25 years. We need decisive help from the state of Serbia and those responsible for our security under Resolution 1244," Milovic emphasized.