Relocated memorial plaque for Serbian soldiers who perished in World War I; Pristina parish priest: It was done at the request of the French Ambassador

After the Ambassadors of Germany and France in Kosovo published a photo of their joint commemoration of Armistice Day at the military part of the Orthodox cemetery in Pristina, it caught the public's attention that the monument to Serbian soldiers who perished in World War I is no longer in its previous location.

In the central part of the cemetery, instead of the monument to Serbian soldiers, a new memorial plaque has been placed with inscriptions in Serbian, Albanian, and French that read, "To the French soldiers who perished in Kosovo", even though there is already another plaque with the added Albanian translation of the message, "Eternal gratitude to the French warriors who perished in 1918".

The white memorial plaque, erected in honor of Serbian heroes who perished during the Balkan Wars and World War I, from 1912 to 1918, with an inscription that reads "Here lie the mortal remains of Serbian soldiers who perished in the wars of 1912-1918", has been moved from the lower side of the memorial park.

The relocation of the plaque was done without the knowledge of the Eparchy of Raska and Prizren.

Pristina parish priest Stanisa Arsic told Kosovo Online that he had information that, at the order of the director of the company "Hortikultura", workers had vandalized the memorial, and the plaque had been removed to the side.

As he states, this was done after the Mitrovica Memorial Service.

"I personally served a memorial service beside the plaque for Serbian soldiers on Saturday, during the memorial service. I appeal to the Embassy of France in Kosovo to issue an order for the memorial to be returned to its previous state because I have information that this was the order of the French Ambassador", Arsic said.

As seen on the site, fresh concrete has been poured over footprints leading to the plaque, confirming that the relocation happened a few days ago.

Arsic added that, in consultation with the Eparchy of Raska and Prizren, they would consider the possibility of filing a complaint against the director of "Hortikultura" and the Embassy of France in Pristina.