Ministry of Justice of Serbia: Verdict against the three Serbs is the culmination of judicial abuse for political purposes

The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Serbia has described the verdict of the Basic Court in Pristina, sentencing Milun Milenkovic, Aleksandar Vlajic, and Dejan Pantic to multi-year prison terms, as shameful, stating that it represents the culmination of judicial abuse for political purposes.

“The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Serbia strongly condemns and rejects the shameful and politically motivated verdict of the so-called court in Pristina, by which Milun Milenkovic, Aleksandar Vlajic, and Dejan Pantic were sentenced to long prison terms, even though no relevant evidence supporting the accusations against them was presented during the entire process,” the ministry stated.

The statement further says the decision is the culmination of the misuse of the judiciary for political ends and clearly shows that there is no independent judiciary in Pristina, but rather a tool of repression used to intimidate and persecute Serbs in Kosovo.

“The verdict is based on speculation and fabricated charges, without a single credible witness, without material evidence, and without respect for the right to an effective defense, something that is unacceptable by even the most basic standards of a fair trial,” the statement reads.

The Ministry asserts that the goal of the verdict is not justice but political retaliation and ethnic intimidation of Serbs.

“We remind the international community that such actions grossly violate fundamental human rights, the right to freedom, and the right to a fair trial guaranteed by UN conventions applicable in Kosovo and Metohija, in accordance with Resolution 1244. The aim of this decision is not justice but political revenge and ethnic intimidation of Serbs, with the clear intention of making their survival in Kosovo and Metohija impossible. The Republic of Serbia will not allow such unlawful and discriminatory actions to become normalized,” the statement emphasizes.

The Ministry has submitted a request to international missions in Kosovo, including EULEX and UNMIK, to react urgently and, as stated, stop the judicial terror being carried out by Pristina against the Serbian people.

“The Republic of Serbia will also appeal to international donors who have support programs for the judiciary in Kosovo and Metohija, requesting that these programs be suspended as long as Pristina continues to violate the basic human rights of Serbs. Additionally, we will inform all relevant international organizations about this case and initiate all available legal and diplomatic mechanisms to protect the convicted individuals and all Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija,” the statement continues.

The Ministry of Justice stresses it will provide full legal and institutional support to the families of Milenkovic, Vlajic, and Pantic, as well as their defense teams, in order to overturn the decision in the appeals process.

“With such verdicts, Pristina clearly demonstrates that it has no interest in peace, dialogue, or legal security, but rather pursues a policy of persecution and destabilization. The Republic of Serbia will not stop until every Serb in Kosovo and Metohija can live freely, without fear of political trials and fabricated charges,” the Ministry of Justice of Serbia concluded.