Petkovic: I will ask all diplomatic representatives what exactly Popovic said wrong about KLA

The Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic, stated today that the arrest of his assistant, Igor Popovic, was not an “ordinary arrest,” but rather the kidnapping of a representative of the Government of Serbia. Pointing out that almost no one from the international community has reacted, he emphasized that his first question to every diplomatic representative he meets with in the coming period will be: What exactly did Popovic do wrong by calling KLA criminals terrorists?

“This is not an ordinary arrest, let’s call things by their name, it is the kidnapping of a representative of the Serbian Government. For three hours after he was kidnapped at Brnjak, we didn’t know where he was. We found out from Albanian media that he had been detained. His car was stopped brutally, handcuffs were placed on him as if he were the most dangerous criminal,” Petkovic said.

He added that Popovic had visited Kosovo three times in the past month alone, and that the agreement on official visits does not apply to him, a fact which, according to Petkovic, some in the EU are trying to use as justification for not reacting properly and failing to assist with his release.

Stating again that almost no one in the international community responded, he said his first question in meetings with ambassadors from the Quint and representatives of other EU member states will be: What did Igor Popovic do wrong by calling KLA criminals terrorists?

Petkovic explained that Popovic was specifically referring to the ‘Orahovac group’ case, regarding the killing of Serbs in Orahovac, for which a trial is currently ongoing before the Special Court for KLA crimes in The Hague. He noted that as long as proceedings are underway, everyone has the right to talk about them.

“Not to mention that it is true. And not just that, but also the suffering of Serbs in Staro Gracko, Gorazdevac, Podujevo... The situation has escalated to the point where Kurti is openly showing he has no interest in dialogue or normalization, or in anything that would allow a normal life in Kosovo and Metohija. If my assistant is forbidden to speak the truth, if the assistant to the chief negotiator is arrested and kidnapped, what kind of message does that send about dialogue? Where is Peter Sorensen and the rest, why haven’t they spoken out or called for the immediate release of Igor Popovic?” Petkovic asked during an appearance on TV Informer.

He also reiterated that yesterday marked the failure of the 50th attempt to constitute the parliament in Pristina.

“They are unable to form a parliament, let alone a government. Kurti is nervous and trying to cover that up by targeting Serbs, shutting down Serbian institutions, attacking Aleksandar Vucic, and arresting Popovic,” Petkovic said.

Commenting on the reaction of the German Embassy, which said it had “taken note” of the case, Petkovic said that the people understand everything clearly.

“We all know who pushed for the dismemberment of Serbia, who worked to destroy the country, bombed it, and created new false borders. Now they are nurturing their creation, so-called Kosovo, and insisting on that agenda, which includes trampling on Serbia even more. That is why we must take care of ourselves and preserve peace and stability,” Petkovic stressed.

When asked whether Popovic could be convicted over his statements about the KLA, Petkovic responded that it cannot go that far, but considering how the authorities in Pristina function, he cannot rule it out either, though he hopes reason will prevail.

“If anyone still cares about normalizing relations, this terror must stop,” Petkovic emphasized.

He added that he is in contact with Popovic’s lawyers and family, who will visit him today, and that a request has been sent for the liaison officer to visit him as well.

“We are doing everything we can through diplomatic channels and are insisting on his release,” Petkovic said, repeating that there will be no continuation of dialogue as long as Popovic remains in detention.