Office for Kosovo and Metohija: Pristina initiates wave of arrests of pilgrims, new pressure on Serbs and the Serbian Orthodox Church

Pristina has initiated a wave of arrests of pilgrims from central Serbia, with the aim of continuing the destabilization of the situation in Kosovo and exerting pressure on the Serbian people, stated the Office for Kosovo and Metohija.

In the statement from the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, it is mentioned that yesterday in Djakovica, P.K., M.S., B.R., and N.V. were arrested and detained for 48 hours.

"Today in Prizren, a group of pilgrims was arrested, with L.S. and S.R. being held in detention, while the others were released after questioning and taken back to central Serbia. A total of 16 people were arrested. This is the most blatant legal abuse and the most flagrant violation of religious freedoms, as all the arrested were in Kosovo and Metohija to visit holy places and monasteries of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Moreover, all detainees had legally crossed the administrative crossing, which shows that their presence in Kosovo and Metohija was not in any way controversial," the statement from the Office for Kosovo and Metohija reads.

Furthermore, it is emphasized that "extremist political structures in Pristina, through these arrests, are showing that they want to exert new pressure on the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo and Metohija and its monasteries, especially south of the Ibar, and to send a message to Serbs that they are not allowed to come and visit their holy sites."

"The Office for Kosovo and Metohija is in contact with legal representatives and families and will provide, as it has in all similar situations in the past, all kinds of assistance and support. We appeal to international organizations in Kosovo and Metohija to show their willingness and use their authority to ensure that Pristina is restrained in its intention to destabilize the political and security situation in the province," the statement concludes.