Office for Kosovo and Metohija: International representatives should make every effort to secure the release of those detained at Gazimestan

The Serbian Government's Office for Kosovo and Metohija announced that it will inform all international representatives about the detention of several Serbs following the Vidovdan commemoration and memorial service at Gazimestan, describing the incident as a shameful and outrageous act of repression by the administration of Albin Kurti.

"We call on international representatives to make every possible effort and employ all available diplomatic means to ensure the release of all those detained. They will, in any case, be provided with legal assistance," the Office said in a statement.

The statement added that although the Vidovdan commemoration at Gazimestan was conducted in a dignified manner and in keeping with the spirit of the holiday, "Kurti's police carried out yet another uncivilized act of violence, contrary to the principles of peace, tolerance, and reconciliation."

"According to information provided by our representatives on the ground, several Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija, as well as from central Serbia, were detained. Upon leaving Gazimestan, Kurti's forces pushed a number of Serbs into pre-positioned improvised metal holding enclosures before transporting them by police vehicles to an undisclosed location. Once again, Pristina used this major holiday as a pretext for reprisals against the Serbian people and for denying our people their fundamental human rights, above all the right to peacefully and freely observe their national holidays without fear," the Office for Kosovo and Metohija stated.