Starovic: Lists of Serbs for arrest are retaliation from Pristina

The State Secretary of the Ministry of Defense, Nemanja Starovic, assessed that the lists of Serbs for arrest made by the authorities in Pristina was an act of retaliation, Kurir reports.

"Hundreds of Serbs are slated for arrest. People who were in the service until a month ago are now being charged with war crimes. It's about retaliation and that's clear to everyone," said Starovic.

Starovic praised the Serbian people in Kosovo and their struggle and perseverance.

"I agree with the fact that a part of the EU is silent, and this is interpreted as a sign of approval and it is really unacceptable that we allow this behavior of Kurti," said Starovic and added that the Serbs had no other way but to withdraw from the institutions.

Starovic notes that it is KFOR's obligation to take care of the security of Serbs.

"Exclusively, the duty of the KFOR mission is to take care of the Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija, and I don't want to talk about it at this moment, so far we have had good cooperation with them. After full 23 years and the adoption of resolution 1244, we have to be patient. I expect that the answer is to arrive," said Starovic.

Starovic referred to the Serbian Government's request for the return of security forces to Kosovo.

"Item 4 of Resolution 1244 clearly states that when it comes to the return of our security forces, they will approve," Starovic said.