At around 5 p.m. today in South Mitrovica, a man threw a stone at a bus carrying pilgrims from central Serbia, shattering a window outside the city’s St. Sava Church.
The group had stopped to visit the church after touring monasteries in southern Kosovo. As they were getting off the bus, the man hurled a stone at one of the two vehicles, breaking a window. The incident took place in the presence of police officers who are stationed there to guard the church.
Police immediately arrested the suspect and took statements from eyewitnesses. He was later released. Pilgrims temporarily repaired the broken window and continued their journey back home.
Kosovo Police confirmed the incident. Avni Zahiti, spokesperson for the southern region, told KoSSev that a suspect was arrested around 5 p.m. on Shemsi Ahmeti Street on suspicion of throwing the stone that damaged the bus.
“After questioning, the suspect was released under regular procedure, while criminal proceedings have been initiated for the offense of ‘Damage to property,’” Zahiti said in a written statement to KoSSev.
The St. Sava Church was burned and devastated during the March 2004 unrest. It has been under police protection since liturgical life was restored a decade ago. Reconstruction began in 2014, and a year later the first priest, Saša Mitrović, moved with his family into the restored parish home. Last year, Father Nenad Stojanović replaced him and now lives there with his wife and five children — the only Serbian family remaining in this part of the city.
Despite the difficult circumstances, the church’s liturgical life has been revived, with a growing number of believers attending services, particularly on Sundays and major feast days.
Preuzimanje i objavljivanje tekstova sa portala KoSSev nije dozvoljeno bez navođenja izvora. Hvala na poštovanju etike novinarske profesije.
