Serb List: Arrests and house searches in Ibarski Kolasin constitute unprecedented pressure on the Serbian people

The Serb List stated that the arrests, searches of family homes, and detention of Serbs in the Ibarski Kolasin area represent, in its view, an unprecedented campaign of pressure against the Serbian population aimed at intimidating them and forcing them to leave, while also alleging that the institutions in Pristina are failing to observe basic legal procedures and citizens' rights.

In a statement, the party said that the institutions in Pristina, under the guise of investigating alleged war crimes, are disregarding fundamental legal procedures and basic civil rights, regardless of whether those involved are detainees, witnesses, or suspects.

"The manner in which these proceedings are being conducted is inconsistent with the standards of European judicial systems in the 21st century and resembles an inquisition more than a legal process, with pressure and intimidation being used in an attempt to extract statements," the statement said.

The Serb List claimed that several people were detained during the day, a number of family homes were searched, women and children were distressed, and residents were threatened with further arrests.

"Such conduct constitutes a serious violation of human rights and further spreads fear and insecurity among the Serbian population," the statement said.

It added that it is unacceptable for "an entire municipality to be subjected to terror" under the pretext of investigating alleged war crimes, arguing that not everyone who was of legal age in 1999 can be treated as a potential war criminal.

"Criminal responsibility, where any criminal offense is established, is strictly individual, not collective. It is unacceptable that random arrests and detentions, carried out without ensuring the right to legal counsel, are being used in an attempt to obtain statements," the Serb List said.

The statement emphasized that every victim and every victim's family deserves justice, and that every perpetrator, regardless of nationality, should be held accountable in accordance with the law.

The Serb List also questioned whether the purpose of these operations is to establish the truth and ensure justice or to create a political narrative ahead of the verdict expected to be delivered by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague.

"That is not the truth. The Serbian people also suffered greatly, and more than 550 Serbs are still listed as missing. We therefore demand respect for the law, human rights, and the principle of equality before justice, without selective approaches or politically motivated proceedings that further deepen mistrust and threaten the survival of the Serbian people in Kosovo," the statement said.

The Serb List called on the competent institutions and international organizations to uphold the presumption of innocence, protect citizens' rights, and ensure fair legal proceedings.

"The responsibility to uphold the presumption of innocence, fundamental rights, and fair procedures rests with all competent institutions, as well as with the international organizations that have remained conspicuously silent in recent days. Such silence is entirely unacceptable given their mandate to ensure peace and security for all citizens," the statement concluded.

Earlier today, the Kosovo Special Prosecution announced that the Kosovo Police War Crimes Investigation Directorate, acting on its order, had arrested another suspect identified by the initials J.R., who is suspected of committing the criminal offense of war crimes against the civilian population.