Simic: Kurti uses explosion in Zubin Potok as an alibi for crackdown on Serbs in Kosovo

The authorities in Pristina are using the explosion on the Ibar-Lepenac canal as an alibi for a crackdown on Kosovo Serbs, warned Serb List official Igor Simic. He reported that the northern part of Kosovo this morning resembles an occupied territory, with hundreds of heavily armed Albanian special forces officers patrolling the streets, demonstrating power and intimidating the Serbs.

"Hundreds of heavily armed, monoethnic special forces officers are present on our streets, sent to the north, primarily to Kosovska Mitrovica and Zubin Potok, to demonstrate power and might," Simic told RTS.

He added that there is no information about further arrests.

"According to the information I have, among all the arrests, two individuals remain in custody. One of them is journalist Dusan Milanovic, a family man with a long career in media and an impeccable record — I believe he doesn't even have a traffic ticket," Simic explained.

He mentioned that no charges have been clarified yet.

"What the prosecutor's office accuses him of is the criminal act of terrorism. It’s unbelievable how often prosecutors under Pristina’s control level such charges against Serbs without serious evidence," Simic added.

He highlighted that at every intersection there are heavily armed individuals who do not speak Serbian, painting a distressing picture for Serbian children.

Simic also noted that yesterday's arrests resembled brutal raids by bandits, leaving families traumatized.

"What frightened the Serbs most were statements from certain Pristina politicians suggesting that the explosion issue should be resolved through an operation similar to 'Operation Storm.' We all know what Operation Storm brought — the expulsion of Serbs," Simic added.

He stated that Kurti is seeking international support to use it against Serbs.

"Just hours after the incident, he arrived at the scene, accompanied by numerous cameras, refusing to respond to Serbian media while using the moment to accuse Serbia and Aleksandar Vucic, creating an atmosphere where anything against Serbs is permissible," Simic explained.

He mentioned that it is unclear how long water supply restrictions will persist, pointing out that, following the explosion, Gracanica — predominantly populated by Serbs — was the first area to lose water, sending a message that even water is denied to them.

Simic said that Pristina is once again trying to equate Kosovo and Serbia with Russia and Ukraine.

He emphasized that representatives of the Serb List visited all the families affected by the Kosovo police raids and ensured legal aid for all detainees.

"Those arrested have been provided with legal assistance, and my colleagues from the Serb List and I were on the streets of Kosovska Mitrovica yesterday with our families, and we will do so again today to send a message that we are not intimidated. This is our city, and we have the right to live here. This is how we will respond democratically to the repression being carried out by Albin Kurti with his paramilitary apparatus," said Simic.