Nine arrested in Zubin Potok, Belgrade reacts – calls it ‘revenge’ against Serbs

Following the arrest of nine people in Zubin Potok suspected of war crimes, the Serbian List and the Office for Kosovo in the Serbian Government have reacted, criticizing the Kosovo Police operation and demanding respect for the rights of those arrested.

The Serbian List described the morning operation as “brutal”, claiming the arrests have caused fear and insecurity among the Serb community in northern Kosovo.

In a reaction published on social media, the party claims that dozens of armed Kosovo Police officers took part in the operation, while accusing the police of breaking down doors, damaging private property and, as the party claims, intimidating families.

“This is not a legal process, with full respect for the presumption of innocence and the right to defence, but revenge and [Kosovo Prime Minister Albin] Kurti’s way of persecuting Serbs. The fact is that Serbs in Zubin Potok have in recent months been under a terrible terror reminiscent of an occupation,” the Serbian List’s reaction states.

The party has demanded that all legal rights be guaranteed to those arrested, including contact with lawyers and families, and has called on KFOR, EULEX and other international representatives to monitor the proceedings.

There was also a reaction from the so-called Office for Kosovo in the Serbian Government.

The office stated that the purpose of the operation in Zubin Potok is the “intimidation and expulsion” of Serbs, adding that the nine arrested are Serbs and that the operation was carried out in five villages.

The Office for Kosovo also claimed that among those arrested is a 90-year-old, as well as a person whose family includes a child with disabilities.

“Relatives of Serbs who have already been targets of Pristina have also been arrested,” claimed the Serbian Government’s Office, adding that those arrested have lived in Zubin Potok for more than two decades.

The Office for Kosovo and Metohija has said its representatives on the ground are in contact with the families of the arrested and that work is underway to secure them legal support.

Meanwhile, Kosovo authorities have said the nine were arrested as part of investigations into suspected “war crimes against the civilian population”. The operation was carried out by the Kosovo Police in coordination with the Special Prosecution, as Telegrafi reports.