Two buses transporting Orthodox believers from Belgrade were stoned yesterday in the village of Studenica near the town of Istok, the Kosovo police spokesperson for the region of Pec, Xhevat Ibraj, confirmed after Serbian media reported on the case.
“Buses transporting a group of 170 Serbs who came to the village of Studenica were stoned and thier windows were damaged by insofar unknown perpetrators. Police have taken all necessary measures to find the perpetrators, while the public prosecutor was also notified about this case,“ Ibraj told RTK2.
There were no injuries reported.
Serbian Government Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Marko Djuric condemned the incident.
“This attack is just another warning of the kind of fate would befall all Serbian sanctuaries in Kosovo and Metohija if they were left without protection, and therefore I appeal to the international community to respond seriously, because it is not only an attack on pilgrims, but also on the symbols of a shared European Christian tradition and European values,” Djuric stated in an immediate news release.
The Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj reacted yesterday evening as well.
„The attack on two buses with Serbian pilgrims who visited the religious temple in Istog is unacceptable and condemnable, regardless of perpetrators or motives. Kosovo and its institutions are committed to peace and stability, and any attack on citizens is an attack on shared European values, and as such it is detrimental to our republic! I request from law enforcement authorities that the attackers are found and brought to justice,“ Haradinaj posted on his Facebook page.
Ambassador Vlora Citaku, who often tweets against acts from Belgrade tweeted last night:
„Shameful and unacceptable! Serbian pilgrims must be free to visit religious sites in Kosovo without fear. Whoever is responsible for this attack must be brought to justice.“
Belgrade-based Blic daily released the story „The firing of bullets was heard and then the stones hurled, testimonies of the attacked Serbs,“ with photographs and video taken at the scene yesterday.
