In the returnee village of Ljubozda, seven houses have been robbed since the beginning of the year; residents fear new attacks

In the returnee village of Ljubozda, near Istok, seven robberies and break-ins into the houses of returnees have occurred since the beginning of the year. The Serbs, who returned in 2017 to build new homes on the ruins and start life anew, still live in fear for their safety and worry about new attacks.

Before 1999, there were about 40 Serbian families in Ljubozda, but after the conflict, their homes were completely demolished and burned. In 2017, nearly 17 families returned, attempting to create somewhat normal living conditions in Metohija, mainly engaging in agriculture.

The family of Milica Ristic is one of those who returned in 2017.

They showed the houses that were burglarized in January to the Kosovo Online team. The first house robbed belongs to the returnee Zarko Zaric, who was arrested by Kosovo authorities in August of last year, accusing him of alleged war crimes.

"Seven houses have been robbed since New Year. They stole food, small machinery, and smaller items... We don't leave the house empty; there's always someone here," she says, adding that they recently bought construction material to renovate their family house in Ljubozda, but that it also "disappeared".

Jovan Ristic mentions that it used to be normal to live here with Albanian neighbors. After the conflict, things changed.

"My children are in favor of returning here, but there is no perspective for the youth here. However, they come occasionally, as well as the grandchildren. We, the older generations, who have some small income, can survive here, but it's quite challenging," Jovan says.

The residents of Ljubozda can travel to the town of Istok without major problems, but they emphasize that they have almost no communication with their Albanian neighbors.

"Here in the village, regarding neighbors, only two or three communicate with us. We grew up together, but they don't contact us. Those who want to, we respond to, talk normally, and have conversations. With those who don't want to, we don't contact them either. It has been like this until now, and we'll see how it will be from now on. We hope it will be better, but we'll see," Ristic says.

Due to the fear of having more valuable items stolen, most villagers keep agricultural machinery in the yard of the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Istok.

"I also have some attachments; I took them to our church; it's safer there. Their police are always there. Otherwise, I dare not keep them here for safety reasons," Ristic expresses his frustration.

Residents also fear frequent arrests of returnees.

"You never know. So far, we haven't had problems; they didn't provoke us, and we crossed the border normally, so far. But what will happen next, we cannot know," Ristic says.

Slavomir Zivkovic's house was also robbed, and the perpetrators were never found.

"Life used to be good, and it can be now, but it's a bit different due to these recent events. Seven houses have been broken into. We have some freedom; we move freely to the town, to Istok, we use public transport, go to the store freely, and contact those who want to communicate. However, life is not exactly as we would like it in terms of perspective. Because, somehow, we are alone; very few complete families return here," Zivkovic says.

Although they fear leaving their homes empty, without anyone, they are often forced to do so.

"My house was broken into when no one was there. We always expect that now, but we have to be absent because everyone goes about their business to some other place. We can't be there all the time. We would like to, but life is such that we have to seek employment elsewhere or find a job. We really wish conditions were created for us to be here permanently, our families to be here, and life to be as it used to be before the war. But it seems that now there are no conditions for that," Zivkovic says.