Blagoje Zuvic, a Serb returnee from the village of Dragoljevac, in Istok municipality was attacked today, municipal community official Vesna Malikovic told Bravo Radio, TV Most reported.

According to Bravo Radio, Zuvic was attacked by his first neighbour, an Albanian. First a verbal dispute occurred and then Zuvic was physically assaulted and beaten.

“The case is reported to the police, and Zuvic is in a police station now giving a statement,” Malikovic further said.

Dragoljevac inhabitants claim the motive of the attack is the land that Zuvic does not want to sell to his neighbour.

TV Most recalled, it is not the first attack against Blagoje Zuvic and his family. His house was set on fire only one day prior Zuvic family was supposed to move in. Afterwards, the house was repaired with the support of the Kosovo Ministry for Communities and Returns. Around 30 Serbs live in the village of Dragoljevac.

Meanwhile, Kosovo Minister for Communities and Returns, Dalibor Jevtic also reacted on the incident. Jevtic emphasized it is a continuation in exercising pressure upon returnees to leave their properties and to have some parts of Kosovo ethnically clean, without Serbs.

"Attack against Blagoje Zuvic aims to expel him and at this moment it is certain. I would personally not allow that such incidents cause detriments to the returns process and to have returnees' sites without Serbs," Jevtic said.

He added he had spoken with the Minister of Interior about this incident, and KIM Radio reported that one of the attackers is arrested.