A fresh wave of political tension has erupted between Kosovan and Serbian leadership, following the arrest of Igor Popović, assistant to the director of Serbia’s Office for Kosovo and Metohija, and a fiery exchange between Kosovan Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.
In a press conference held today in Pristina, acting Prime Minister Kurti condemned what he described as Serbia’s “normalization of hate speech” and issued a strong warning against inflammatory rhetoric coming from Belgrade.
“Kosovo will not tolerate the normalization of hate speech. We are not afraid of Vučić’s rhetoric. We are determined to defend the rule of law and our democracy,” Kurti said. “Vučić can speak in the language of Milošević in Serbia, but those times are over in Kosovo—and they will never return.”
Arrest of Igor Popović Sparks Controversy
Kurti began his remarks by addressing the recent arrest of Igor Popović, who was detained after referring to former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA/OVK) members as „terrorists“ during a commemoration in Velika Hoca. Popović has since been placed in a 30-day pre-trial detention, accused of inciting ethnic hatred.
“The case of Igor Popović is no exception. Anyone who violates the law and sows division will face justice,” said Kurti. “Our institutions are handling this professionally and in line with international human rights standards.”
The arrest drew a sharp rebuke from Serbian President Vučić, who claimed that Kurti had “completely lost his mind” and was attempting to provoke a new conflict in the Western Balkans. Vučić also warned of a “very strong reaction” from Serbia.
Kurti: Vučić’s Words Are “Threatening and Destabilizing”
Kurti slammed Vučić’s statements from July 20 as “threatening, destabilizing, and entirely unacceptable,” warning that such rhetoric from a head of state and commander-in-chief cannot be dismissed as personal opinion.
“When a president issues public threats in a tone that incites conflict, it becomes a matter of national policy. Belgrade clearly shows that it does not support peace or justice but promotes tension and hate speech,” Kurti said.
He also accused Serbia of attempting to destabilize Kosovo through “criminal and terrorist groups,” referencing past incidents in Banjska and Zvecan and calling again for the extradition of Milan Radoičić, the controversial figure linked to paramilitary activity.
Travel Advisory and International Appeal
Citing “indications of risk from provocations and arbitrary detentions” by Serbian authorities, Kurti advised Kosovo citizens to avoid traveling through Serbia. He also called on the EU, NATO, and the international community to respond firmly to Vučić’s “threats and destabilizing campaign.”
A Message of Integration for Kosovo Serbs
In a shift from the combative rhetoric, Kurti reiterated his government’s commitment to the integration of Kosovo Serbs into Kosovan institutions.
“We are committed to integrating the Serbian community, particularly through employment and education,” Kurti said, noting that since April 2024, about 800 residents from four Serb-majority municipalities in northern Kosovo had been employed through government initiatives, and over 400 new businesses registered.
He added that 430 diplomas from the University of Mitrovica had been verified to facilitate employment of Serb citizens.
Serbia Responds: “A Campaign of Lies and Hatred”
Serbian officials reacted strongly to Kurti’s statements. Petar Petković, director of Serbia’s Office for Kosovo and Metohija, denounced Kurti’s justification for Popović’s arrest as the “peak of madness.”
“Kurti is driven by pathological hatred toward everything Serbian,” Petković said. “The claim that Popović’s arrest protects the rule of law is absurd. He simply spoke the truth.”
Petković accused Kurti of using the incident as a pretext for “continued violence and oppression” of Serbs in Kosovo. He also criticized Kurti for failing to address war crimes committed against Serbs, while calling on the international community to secure Popović’s immediate release.
Legal Escalation: Serbia Investigates “Kidnapping”
In a new development, Serbia’s Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office announced today it had instructed its security services to identify the individuals responsible for Popović’s arrest, suggesting the possibility of launching criminal proceedings for “kidnapping.”
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