Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Rasim Ljajic said he was shocked by the verdict in the case against the leader of the Civil Initiative SDP Oliver Ivanovic, and said that this could have an impact on "overall atmosphere that is created" in Kosovo.

"Logical thinking of all the people who have remained in Kosovo is that if it happened to Ivanovic - a fighter for democratic rights, what can other citizens expect. It is certain that the atmosphere will deteriorate. This is a politically motivated judgment rather than legal. We have the right to believe in it," Ljajic told reporters in the Serbian Parliament.

According to Ljajic, condemning Ivanovic for war crimes is completely incompatible with his work towards solving the Kosovo problem. He added that Ivanovic's actions have never gone against the democratic principles of resolving the Kosovo issue with the legitimate representatives of Kosovo Albanians.

I cannot link him neither with the crimes, nor with such a draconian punishment - said Ljajic. He reminded that the state has done everything in its capacity under the circumstances, but that unfortunately, the opportunities were limited.

He also said that the Serbian government wants to pursue the issue until resolved and to internationalize it.