The U.S. Embassy in Pristina has expressed concern over what it sees as attempts to restrict competition among political parties and citizens’ right to elect their representatives, after two employees of the Provisional Authority of Kamenica – Ivan Ristić and Ivan Petrović – began a hunger strike claiming they were fired for their candidacies in upcoming local elections.
“We are concerned by any efforts to restrict competition among political parties and to prevent Kosovo citizens from being able to elect their own representatives.
All Kosovans – whether Serbs, Albanians, or from any other group – regardless of party affiliation, must have the ability to participate fully in the political and civic life of Kosovo,” the Embassy said in a written statement to KoSSev.
Ristić and Petrović have been on hunger strike for three days in Ranilug, alleging that their dismissals were politically motivated. They are running as candidates of the parties “For Freedom, Justice and Survival” and “Serb People’s Movement,” respectively.
The protest has escalated amid serious health risks. According to local media, Ristić – who reportedly suffers from severe heart disease and has five stents – was hospitalized due to a deterioration in his condition but remains determined to continue the strike. Petrović meanwhile claims that local authorities, including Srpska Lista, have ignored their demands for reinstatement and payment of what they call “stolen salaries.”
The pair also accuse the party of double standards, alleging that they are individuals on the payroll of the Provisional Authority, who do not even live in Kosovo.
Nenad Rašić, outgoing Minister for Communities and Returns, visited the protesters, calling their case an example of systemic political repression against dissenters. He said he had informed the Kosovo Police and Ministry of Interior about the situation.
On Wednesday, they also received support from Milija Biševac, president of the Serb People’s Movement, and Branimir Stojanović, a candidate for municipal assembly in Gracanica.
Preuzimanje i objavljivanje tekstova sa portala KoSSev nije dozvoljeno bez navođenja izvora. Hvala na poštovanju etike novinarske profesije.
