Office for Kosovo and Metohija: Removal of the SOC flag in Lipljan is a continuation of the persecution of Serbs and the endangerment of holy sites

The removal of the Serbian Orthodox Church flag from the courtyard of the Church of Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple in Lipljan, and on the very day of the celebration of the church’s feast day, is a continuation of the campaign of persecuting Serbs and everything Serbian in Kosovo and Metohija, as well as the desecration of Serbian holy sites with the goal of erasing them from this area, the Office for Kosovo and Metohija stated.

They reminded that this is also evidenced by recent calls from Pristina to demolish the Christ the Savior Church, which, they emphasize, represents a severe form of religious intolerance that is unacceptable anywhere in Europe, but in Pristina represents a “dominant form of political activity and ideology,” thereby undermining peace and coexistence in Kosovo.

“Such inflammatory statements, as well as the hate speech against Serbs used by Pristina’s politicians, directly incite incidents against the Serbian people and the holy sites of the SOC, and cause unrest and fear among our people. The Office for Kosovo and Metohija will continue to use all political and diplomatic means to present to the international public the difficult position of the Serbian people and to point out the endangerment of Orthodox sites in Kosovo and Metohija,” the statement said.

The Office for Kosovo and Metohija added that it will also demand a concrete response from international organizations and representatives, so that the perpetrators of this unacceptable incident in Lipljan are found as soon as possible and properly sanctioned.