Orahovac Municipal Assembly declares Igor Popovic "Persona Non Grata"

The Municipal Assembly of Orahovac adopted today a declaration declaring Igor Popovic, Assistant Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija in the Government of Serbia, a persona non grata, and condemning his speech delivered during a memorial event in Velika Hoca, Reporteri reports.

The declaration was unanimously approved by all political parties represented in the Assembly.
Mayor Smajl Latifi presented the declaration to the municipal councilors, emphasizing its importance for "the protection of the values of the liberation war."

“On behalf of the citizens of the Municipality of Orahovac, we, the representatives of the Municipal Assembly, express our concern over the offensive and tendentious statements made by Igor Popovic during his visit to the village of Velika Hoca, in the Municipality of Orahovac. These statements represent a direct attack on our history. They attempt to tarnish the just and glorious war of the KLA,” said Latifi.

During the session, an appeal was also made to the residents of Velika Hoca to distance themselves from what was termed “unacceptable language.”

“In a democratic and sovereign state, which has worked diligently to ensure peace for all its citizens, regardless of ethnicity, skin color, or religion, a person who engages in hate speech and incitement is not welcome — and is considered persona non grata in our municipality. We encourage our fellow citizens in Velika Hoca and the representatives of the village to distance themselves from this unacceptable rhetoric,” the decision states.