Despite heightened security measures and political tensions, this year’s Vidovdan commemorations in Kosovo proceeded largely without major incidents. Religious ceremonies were held in Gracanica and at the Gazimestan memorial site, drawing attendees from Kosovo, Serbia, and the region. However, the day was overshadowed by the detention of 17 individuals. The Kosovo Police justified the detentions as necessary responses to provocations, but Serbian representatives claim the arrests were politically motivated and aimed at intimidating the Serb community on one of its most important religious and national holidays.
Kosovo Police, which enforced heightened security measures under a special operational plan, reported that all events were held peacefully, without disruptions. Nonetheless, 17 people were detained due to what the police described as “inciting crowds, promoting hatred, and wearing provocative or inflammatory clothing.”
One individual remains in custody under suspicion of illegal weapons possession, while others were either released, fined, or are still being questioned.
The day began with a liturgy in the courtyard of the Gračanica Monastery and continued with a memorial service at Gazimestan, marking the 636th anniversary of the Battle of Kosovo. The events drew visitors from both Kosovo, Serbia proper, and the region.
Early in the day, the organizer of a pilgrimage group from Belgrade was detained in Gracanica for wearing a T-shirt with the slogan „United Serbia.“ Later, at Gazimestan, Stefan Veljković, vice president of Srpska Demokratija, was also arrested for wearing a shirt bearing the image of party leader Aleksandar Arsenijević—wanted by Kosovo authorities in connection to an alleged arms find, which he claims was staged.
At one point at Gazimestan, Kosovo Police formed cordons and pulled individuals from the crowd, leading them into nearby portable units. Among those detained was a 12-year-old girl, briefly held and then released. Her family protested the move.
Serbian Officials Condemn Detentions, Urge International Response
The Office for Kosovo and Metohija and Srpska Lista condemned the detentions. In a strongly worded statement, the Office accused Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti of using Vidovdan to “arrest and terrorize Serbs,” calling the detentions politically motivated and discriminatory.
“The so-called Kosovo Police, under Kurti’s orders, harassed and detained Serbs on Vidovdan without cause—some for carrying Serbian flags, images of monasteries, or even singing patriotic songs,” the Office said. “Meanwhile, provocations by ethnic Albanians in Gracanica went unpunished.”
Footage shared online by Srpska Lista member Igor Simić shows a convoy waving Albanian flags and honking through Gracanica, which the party claims was an intentional provocation.
Srpska Lista said the police acted as “instruments of Kurti’s regime,” aiming to “intimidate and expel Serbs” from Kosovo. Both the party and the Office demanded international involvement, warning that silence from the global community amounts to complicity.
Veljković: Clear Example of Police Repression
“This is a clear example of police repression—this is apartheid,” said Veljković after being released.
He claimed police tried to force him to remove his shirt, played songs about Greater Albania, denied him legal counsel, and shouted ethnic slurs in Albanian. He also stated that he was fined in Albanian only and refused to sign the ticket.
“I tore it up,” he told media near Gazimestan, “This is what I think of their so-called rule of law—Kurti, Sveçla, and the land we now live in: Kurtiland.”
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