Municipal Assembly of Gracanica adopted Declaration calling for arrested Serbs to defend themselves while at liberty

The Municipal Assembly of Gracanica adopted today a Declaration requesting that competent institutions allow the detained councilors and directors of educational and healthcare institutions to defend themselves while at liberty, with respect for fundamental human rights and the principles of a fair trial.

The Declaration was adopted at the proposal of councilors from the Serb List.

“The Municipal Assembly of Gracanica expresses deep concern regarding the arrest of councilors and directors of educational and healthcare institutions, which we perceive as a continuation of political pressure and institutional repression against our people and representatives of institutions in Gracanica,” the Declaration states, as reported by RTV Gracanica.

The document condemns “injustice, politically motivated procedures, and pressure carried out against innocent people whose only offense is that they performed their work honorably and responsibly in the interest of citizens.”

Therefore, the Municipal Assembly of Gracanica demands that the competent institutions allow the arrested directors and councilors to defend themselves while at liberty, with full respect for fundamental human rights, the principles of a fair trial, and the presumption of innocence, while consistently adhering to the laws on which the Constitution is based.

“We call on the international community, representatives of the EU, OSCE, EULEX, and all relevant international organizations to stand in defense of the fundamental rights of the Serbian people and to prevent further politically motivated persecutions and intimidation,” the Declaration states.

It adds that the Municipal Assembly of Gracanica remains firmly committed to peace, stability, dialogue, and the preservation of institutions, as well as the rights of the Serbian people and other communities in these areas.

Seven Serbs were arrested last week in Gracanica on charges of “violating the free will of voters,” and they were ordered to be detained for up to 30 days.

Their colleagues from healthcare and educational institutions have been expressing dissatisfaction for days, demanding that they be released to defend themselves while at liberty.

The President of the Serb List and director of the Clinical Hospital Center Kosovska Mitrovica, Zlatan Elek, stated at yesterday’s rally that doctors and teachers are essential to the Serbian people.

“It is unbelievable that such things are happening in the 21st century, but we have become accustomed to such a governing pattern from Pristina authorities, who together with certain satellites, who unfortunately carry Serbian first and last names, are trying to instill fear and unrest among citizens in central Kosovo,” Elek said.