Serb List: Detention of two school principals constitutes political pressure, they must be released immediately

The Serb List strongly condemned this evening the detention of two primary school principals from Kosovska Kamenica, Negovan Vasic and Dragan Krstic, as well as the raids carried out by members of the Kosovo Police on their family homes and educational institutions where, as the party emphasized, they perform an honorable and responsible duty.

The Serb List stated that the case represents political pressure, as the operation is being carried out at a time when, precisely on the basis of a complaint submitted by principal Negovan Vasic in his capacity as a polling station manager, the Serb List filed an appeal with the Electoral Complaints and Appeals Panel regarding serious vote irregularities at a polling station in Boljevac.

“We view this as intimidation of witnesses and individuals who have pointed out electoral irregularities,” the statement said.

The party further noted that, instead of investigating allegations of electoral manipulation and safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process, the authorities in Pristina are detaining individuals who reported possible abuses, thereby sending a dangerous message to all Serbs who wish to stand up for truth, justice and democratic principles.

“Negovan Vasic and Dragan Krstic are respected educators who have dedicated their professional lives to the education of children. Their detention, the searches of their family homes in the presence of family members, and the raids on schools constitute an unacceptable act of institutional violence aimed at instilling fear and insecurity among the Serbian people,” the Serb List stressed.

The party called for the immediate release of Vasic and Krstic, an end to politically motivated persecution, and a halt to the misuse of institutions for the purpose of targeting the Serbian people and their legitimate representatives.

In addition, it demanded that the competent institutions urgently investigate all allegations of electoral irregularities in Boljevac and other areas, stressing that it is unacceptable for those who point to potential abuses to be subjected to pressure while the alleged abuses themselves remain unaddressed.

The Serb List added that it would continue to fight, through democratic and legal means, for the rights of the Serbian people, the truth about the electoral process, and the protection of every citizen from political persecution and institutional repression.

Earlier, the Office for Kosovo and Metohija announced that two principals of Serbian primary schools in Kosovska Kamenica had been detained on political grounds and at the instruction of Pristina and, following several hours of questioning by the police, had been placed in custody for up to 48 hours.