Terzic: Arrests at Gazimestan were an attack on all Serbs

Deputy Director of the Serbian Government's Office for Kosovo and Metohija Milos Terzic said that the experiences of those detained after the memorial service at Gazimestan were horrifying and testified to brutal police violence, adding that the arrests were a continuation of the anti-Serb policy that, according to him, Albin Kurti has pursued for years, RTS reports.

Terzic said that the accounts given by those detained were, in his words, "disturbing and horrifying."

"What we heard from our people points to brutal police violence. We believe this is a continuation of the anti-Serb policy that Albin Kurti has been pursuing for years," Terzic said.

He noted that he had been present at Gazimestan and assessed that there had been no incidents during the Vidovdan commemoration.

"There were no provocations or national symbols. Last year people were arrested because of flags, this year because of traditional Serbian songs," Terzic said.

Speaking about the next steps, he stressed that the Office for Kosovo and Metohija would continue to draw the attention of international institutions to the situation of Serbs.

"Medical documentation will be used in our efforts to protect the rights of the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija. We expect a more concrete response from the international community," Terzic said.

He assessed that the establishment of the Community of Serb Municipalities would contribute to better protection of the individual and collective rights of Serbs.

Speaking about the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, Terzic believes that the current developments further complicate the continuation of the talks.

"It is difficult to speak about dialogue at a time when people are being arrested for singing traditional songs. Serbia remains committed to dialogue but insists on protecting the rights of the Serbian people and implementing the agreements that have been reached," Terzic said.

Lawyer Nikola Todorovic, who represents those detained, said it was unclear on what basis his clients had been found liable.

"Even after carefully reviewing the judgment, it is still not clear to us why these individuals were convicted. They are accused of disturbing public order and peace by singing songs and chanting slogans expressing their religious and national identity, even though those songs were neither offensive nor directed against anyone," Todorovic said.

According to him, such conduct is not prohibited under the applicable regulations, while the right to express one's national and religious identity is guaranteed by constitutional and international legal instruments.

"We believe that this sent the message that Serbs are not welcome and cannot freely observe their holidays," Todorovic said.

He claims that the defendants' fundamental procedural rights were violated during the proceedings.

"The defendants were not given the opportunity to present their defense, and the evidence we proposed was not considered. We believe that this violated their right to a fair trial," the lawyer said, adding that the defense would use all available legal remedies.

Commenting on allegations that some of those detained were subjected to excessive use of force, Todorovic said that medical documentation could serve as the basis for further proceedings.

"If there are medical reports and other evidence indicating excessive use of force, the competent authorities are obliged to conduct an independent and effective investigation, and those responsible must face the consequences if unlawful conduct is established," Todorovic said.