Over three thousand people gathered today in Deçan/Dečani to protest against the decision of the Constitutional Court of Kosovo, which recognizes the property right to Deçan/Dečani Monastery property for over 24 hectares of land. The protest, organized by Deçan/Dečani mayor Rasim Selmanaj, and supported by all political forces of the municipality, ended peacefully. Selmanaj said at the protest that they will continue to protest in the future against this decision which according to him was illegal. He said that the decision of the Constitutional Court is political and added that “giving away property to the Monastery is not a solution.” He said that he and the municipality will not accept this decision. “If there is justice in the country, and if we want to respect laws, then there are two solutions. Either privatization of this property, or if this land has to be given away, then it should be given to the citizens of Deçan/Dečani,” Selmanaj said to the gathered population. He appealed to the Abbot of the Monastery, Sava Janjić and to the international community to resolve this matter together.

Selmanaj said that they are all united against the unjust decision of the Constitutional Court and added that he believes that there is no law or decision that can give away properties to the Monastery. According to him, Deçan/Dečani is a place of civilization and Monastery belongs to the municipality. “Deçan/Dečani will look after the Monastery as one of its own values,” Selmanaj said.