Following last week’s sabotage of the Ibar-Lepenac canal, a series of weapon seizures in northern Kosovo by Kosovo police has led some, including Gurakuç Kuçi from the Octopus Institute, to draw controversial links between these events and Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC) properties. The Diocese of Raška and Prizren swiftly condemned these claims, calling them “false information and part of a campaign to incite ethnic and religious hatred.” Meanwhile, the NATO-led peacekeeping mission KFOR emphasized the need for restraint, stating, “It is crucial to avoid inflammatory rhetoric and actions that could raise tensions, as this would be detrimental to security and stability in Kosovo and the region.”
Kuçi suggested that further weapon discoveries might involve SOC churches, claiming, „Just like in the case of Banjska, where a large amount of weapons was found in the Banjska church, we do not know what is in Orthodox churches, whether there is weapons, and what kind of people are in these religious temples“.
His comments were widely reported by media in Pristina, often without clarification or fact-checking.
Diocese and KFOR Warn About „Inflammatory Rhetoric“
The SOC’s Raška-Prizren Diocese firmly rejected Kuçi’s statements, describing them as „irresponsible, dangerous, and false.“ The diocese clarified that no weapons cache was found in the Banjska monastery during the September incident.
It also pointed out that a report by the Kosovo government confirmed this.
In response to a query from the KoSSev portal regarding Kuçi’s claims, KFOR, NATO’s mission in Kosovo, did not directly comment on these allegations but emphasized the need for restraint.
“It is crucial to avoid inflammatory rhetoric and actions that could raise tensions, as this would be detrimental to security and stability in Kosovo and the region.”
KFOR condemned the canal attack and stressed the importance of a thorough investigation.
“What is now important is to establish the facts through a thorough and transparent investigation and bring those responsible to justice, and ensure that the local communities continue to receive essential services,” the statement read.
Broader Security Concerns and Increased KFOR Presence
In response to the canal sabotage and subsequent tensions, KFOR has reinforced its presence in northern Kosovo, deploying units to secure the Zubin Potok area and offering logistical and engineering support to local institutions. This follows KFOR’s increased deployment of 1,000 additional troops last year after incidents in Zvečan and Banjska.
KFOR reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining peace, stating that its mandate is to ensure security for all communities in Kosovo in close cooperation with Kosovo police and EULEX.
“Our mission is well postured to take all necessary measures to respond to any relevant development of the situation on the ground. The KFOR Commander is in regular contact with his main counterparts – including representatives of the Institutions in Kosovo and of the Kosovo security organizations,” the statement said.
Political Rhetoric Fuels Divisions
Kuçi’s remarks were not the only ones drawing criticism. Former Deputy Mayor of Pristina, Selim Pacolli, accused the SOC of being a historical instigator of violence against Albanians, referencing alleged atrocities tied to the church during past conflicts.
The Diocese of Raška-Prizren dismissed these accusations as baseless, highlighting its consistent advocacy for peace and dialogue.
In its statement, the Diocese expressed concern over the “irresponsible and false claims by some public figures in Kosovo’s Albanian society,” reiterating its stance against violence and its commitment to fostering reconciliation.
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Preuzimanje i objavljivanje tekstova sa portala KoSSev nije dozvoljeno bez navođenja izvora. Hvala na poštovanju etike novinarske profesije.
