Serbian Ministry of Culture: Attacks on Serbian spiritual and cultural heritage in Kosovo and Metohija increasing in frequency

The Ministry of Culture of Serbia has strongly condemned the break-in and robbery at the Church of the Holy Great Martyr Nedelja in Gornja Gusterica near Pristina.

According to the statement, what is particularly concerning is the fact that this is already the second attack on Serbian Orthodox holy sites within just two days, following a similar break-in at the Church of St. Demetrius in Dobrotin.

“This series of incidents clearly demonstrates that attacks on Serbian spiritual and cultural heritage in Kosovo and Metohija are becoming increasingly frequent and are taking place in an atmosphere of complete insecurity and intimidation. Violence against Serbs, the destruction of property belonging to the Serbian Orthodox Church, and the increasingly frequent desecration of Serbian cemeteries are the result of a climate of extremism, violence, and a long-standing anti-Serb policy in Pristina, as well as the practice of leaving perpetrators of such acts unpunished, which further encourages new attacks,” the statement reads.

The Ministry of Culture once again called for an urgent and unequivocal response, the identification and strictest punishment of those responsible, and the establishment of effective protection for Serbian holy sites and cultural assets, bearing in mind that in the past year alone, 26 attacks have been recorded targeting Serbian believers, cemeteries, and facilities of the Serbian Orthodox Church, and that such attacks have never been resolved.

“The Republic of Serbia remains firmly committed to continuing to protect its spiritual, cultural, and historical heritage, as well as the fundamental rights of the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija,” the statement concludes.