We interpret the verdict, as well as all the other things Kosovo Serbs go through every day, as another manifestation of a society not based on democratic foundations – the Diocese of Raska-Prizren said, commenting on the case of N. N., who received a prison sentence after being arrested on June 28th in Gazimestan.
N.N, a young man from Belgrade, was sentenced yesterday in the first-instance proceedings to eight months in prison for allegedly „inciting ethnic hatred and intolerance“.
As the media report, N.N. is accused of crying out „Kill, kill Shiptar“ on the mentioned date, and carrying a Serbian flag, as per the witness’ statements.
On the other hand, his lawyer Jovana Filipovic claims that he did not say the words he is accused of saying and that only the police officers present on the spot claim to have heard N.N., who were then taken as witnesses in this case, and that the mentioned flag did not belong to him.
After the verdict was pronounced, Filipovic immediately announced an appeal. She reiterated that the evidence presented by the witnesses is not relevant.
The head of the Kosovo Office, Petar Petkovic, condemned the judgment yesterday, alleging that the statements were given by false witnesses and that N.N. was convicted without a shred of material evidence.
In the meantime, the Diocese of Raska-Prizren also reacted, expressing its „deepest disappointment and outrage“ regarding the judgment issued to N.N.
They also claim that he was convicted without any material evidence, even though the entire event was filmed.
„We interpret the verdict, as well as all the other things Kosovo Serbs go through every day, as another manifestation of society, formed in the last twenty years before the international community, not based on democratic foundations,“ they assessed.
The Diocese stated that they, as well as the entire Serbian community, are „targets of a constant hate speech campaign, with an increasing number of incidents“, for which no one was held accountable.
They highlighted “the dangerous precedent” created by the Kosovo Police – whereby „every year someone is arrested in Gazimestan and then convicted in very suspicious trials, without any evidence.“
„We consider this as intimidation of the Serbs who visit Gazimestan on this great holiday,“ the Diocese said.
They described the verdict as unfair, and they expressed hope that „reason and justice will be able to prevail at least in the appeals procedure.“
They also recalled the recent statement of the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, who said that Serbs feel safe and that those who do not feel that way are „criminals and corrupt“.
„The Diocese of Raska-Prizren underlines that no Serb can feel safe with this discriminatory attitude of institutions,“ they said.
They called on the international community to react and „finally explain to the Pristina authorities that the power they have should not be used to discriminate and oppress non-majority communities, but to fulfill all the obligations they have undertaken for years, respect the laws and the rule of law.“
„Discrimination of the Serbian community and messages from Pristina do not contribute to security and improved inter-ethnic relations in Kosovo and Metohija, and represent a true factor of instability in the entire region,“ the Diocese of Raska-Prizren concluded.
Preuzimanje i objavljivanje tekstova sa portala KoSSev nije dozvoljeno bez navođenja izvora. Hvala na poštovanju etike novinarske profesije.
