Pantovic: Popovic did not incite hatred, we will appeal the court’s decision

Attorney Ljubomir Pantovic stated that there was not a single offensive word in the speech given by Igor Popovic, Assistant Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, nor any mention of other ethnic groups, and confirmed that an appeal will be filed against the court's decision ordering 30 days of detention.

“The pre-trial judge of the Basic Court in Pristina ordered 30 days of detention for Igor Popovic. The court accepted a request from the Special Prosecutor’s Office claiming that Igor Popovic caused division and intolerance in his speech delivered two days ago in Velika Hoca. Believe me, it was anything but hate speech—it was not a speech that incited division or intolerance,” Pantovic said.

The lawyer explained that Popovic spoke about the difficult situation faced by the local Serbian population.

“Particularly in that part of Orahovac and Velika Hoca, in Metohija. He did not mention any other ethnic group or nationality, especially not Albanians. He said nothing offensive. It is truly unclear why the court accepted such a request from the prosecution,” he emphasized.

Pantovic further noted that the prosecutor even claimed in their request that Popovic’s speech had significantly damaged interethnic relations between Serbs and Albanians.

“Of course, we will file an appeal against such a ruling. We will also undertake additional actions to ensure that the detention lasts as briefly as possible,” he concluded.