Kostic: One-time assistance from the Serbian Government a message that Serbs in Kosovo have not been forgotten

Dejan Kostic, the son of Zoran Kostic from Priluzje, who is on trial for an alleged war crime, emphasized that the one-time assistance of 300,000 dinars from the Serbian Government will be of great help in covering trial expenses, and that it sends a message that Serbs in Kosovo have not been forgotten.

"Not just for us, it will mean a lot to everyone else who is there; it will be of great importance, namely it will cover certain costs related to the trial and attending hearings. We are deeply grateful to the Government of Serbia and President Vucic. This is a form of significant assistance that will mean a lot. I can freely say it is also a message from our government that the people here in Kosovo, even in the most difficult situations, have not been forgotten," Kostic said.

He expressed hope that the one-time assistance would await his father after his release from custody, but noted that everything depends on the course of the trial.

He also stated that his father is among the oldest prisoners, that his health is deteriorated, but that he is trying to endure.

"He is a 75-year-old man, with heart problems, implanted stents, and other accompanying illnesses. For now, he is holding on; we spoke this morning. He is doing well, but this weather is affecting him somewhat. He is trying to endure; maybe he hides things from us and doesn’t say when he is struggling, but what can you do... We are trying to help in every possible way, but we are quite limited," Kostic added.

He stressed that the family sends medicine every month but that they do not know whether he is receiving the appropriate therapy.

"Every month we deliver his medication supplies. Whether he receives them, we don’t know. He is taking some medicines, but we don't know what exactly he is getting there, as they are given to him in a cup. Some days he feels well, some days he doesn't. But, considering his age, he is trying to look and act positively," Kostic concluded.