Office for Kosovo and Metohija: Pristina's moves in Zubin Potok and Zvecan show that the international community must move from words to action

The Office for Kosovo and Metohija has stressed that the demolition of buildings in the village of Rezala on Lake Gazivode and the takeover of premises in Zvecan show that the international community must move from words to action and take concrete steps to, as the Office for Kosovo and Metohija stated, stop Pristina's violations of the law and its lawlessness and terror.

“Pristina today continued the unlawful and violent demolition of Serbian property on Lake Gazivode, in the municipality of Zubin Potok, which local residents had built and acquired over decades. At the same time, in Zvecan, buildings were unlawfully seized under the pretext that they are owned by the Trepca company,” the Office for Kosovo and Metohija said in a statement.

They stressed that only a concrete response from the international community can put an end to the violation of Serbs' rights.

“These moves in Zubin Potok, as well as in Zvecan, show that the international community, which in the previous period allegedly ‘strongly condemned’ such unilateral actions by the authorities of Albin Kurti, must move from words to action and take concrete steps to stop Pristina's lawlessness and terror and its violations of the law, because this is the only way to put an end to its arrogant and arbitrary conduct and the endangerment of Serbs' rights,” the statement said.

They added that statements by international representatives have so far failed to produce results, indicating either that there is no genuine determination to stop Pristina or that Kosovo's caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti has support for his actions.

“The violation of Serbs' rights is also demonstrated by the fact that media outlets wishing to report on this latest escalatory move by Pristina near Lake Gazivode have been prevented from filming the demolition of Serbian buildings because the entire access route has been blocked by the so-called Kosovo Police, which has deployed armored vehicles near the entrance to the village,” the Office for Kosovo and Metohija said in a statement.

According to the Office, the wrongdoing of Albin Kurti's authorities cannot be concealed.

The Office for Kosovo and Metohija said it would once again inform all relevant international representatives about the situation, while its representatives on the ground, together with the Serb List, remain in contact with the affected families and will find a way to help them.

This morning, demolition of buildings began in the village of Rezala, located on Lake Gazivode in the territory of the municipality of Zubin Potok. The deadline for their removal, set by the public company Ibar-Lepenac, expired at the end of August.

Also, representatives of the Trepca company entered buildings in Zvecan this morning. Around 20 days ago, they had put up notices ordering that the buildings be vacated because, according to them, they are owned by the company.