On 27 June 2026, a significant incident took place in Pristina, Kosovo, involving the arrest of 37 individuals, including women and a father separated from his young child, during a religious ceremony commemorating the Day of the Serbian People, known as Vidovdan. This event occurred at the Gazimestan memorial complex, where a service was held following a traditional procession called a parastas. The arrests were made by the so-called Kosovan police, which has been under scrutiny for its conduct towards ethnic Serbs in the region.
The arrests reportedly followed a series of provocative statements and alleged incitement of hatred, according to official statements from the police. However, many Serbian representatives and participants at the event have rejected these accusations, claiming they are part of an effort to intimidate Serbs who wish to commemorate the day peacefully and with dignity. Among those arrested, one minor was released after being questioned, while others remained in custody. Family members of some of the detained individuals attended their hearings at the temporary court in Pristina.
The incident has sparked widespread concern among the Serbian community in Kosovo and Metohija, particularly regarding the safety and security guaranteed by NATO, which has been present in the region since the 1999 conflict. A prominent German politician, Žaklin Nastić, raised questions about the effectiveness of NATO's guarantees, highlighting the contrast between the organization's assurances and the recent actions taken against Serbs in Kosovo. She emphasized that the Day of the Serbian People holds deep cultural significance and is marked annually with a church service and parastas at Gazimestan.
The Serbian government's office for Kosovo and Metohija issued a statement condemning the arrests as a shameful act of repression by the regime led by Albin Kurti. They expressed concerns over the lack of public reaction from the European Union and urged international attention to the situation. The office also indicated plans to inform all international representatives about the incident, underscoring the need for accountability and protection of minority rights in the region.
In addition to the arrests in Kosovo, similar incidents have been reported elsewhere in Serbia. In Belgrade, the Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM) strongly condemned the detention of photographer Gavrilo Andrić, photojournalist Marija Stojnić, and a student from the Faculty of Architecture. These individuals were detained near a protest organized by supporters of the ruling party on 27 June. According to ANEM, the three were released later the same evening without being asked to provide statements to authorities. The association criticized the arbitrary nature of such detentions, emphasizing that they create a sense of extreme insecurity among citizens.
The incident involving Andrić highlights broader concerns about the treatment of journalists and activists in Serbia. ANEM noted that despite numerous threats and attacks against Andrić, no legal action had been taken against perpetrators. The organization stressed the importance of protecting media freedom and the role of independent journalism in countering attempts to distort reality through state-controlled media.
Meanwhile, in Niš, local police reported that more than 30 drivers were excluded from traffic due to driving under the influence of alcohol over the weekend. One driver tested positive for 2.42 per mille of alcohol in their blood, while another cyclist had 1.51 per mille. The affected drivers faced retention and potential legal charges for their actions.
These events reflect ongoing tensions and challenges within Serbia and Kosovo, particularly concerning the rights of minorities and the rule of law. As the situation continues to develop, it remains to be seen how international bodies and regional actors will respond to these incidents, and whether they will take steps to ensure greater protection and stability for all communities in the region.
4 reports
KurirParty-alignedLeftyesterdayThe article reports on a recent incident where 36 individuals, including a minor, were detained by 'Kosovska policija' during a ceremony at Gazimestan commemorating the Day of Saint Vitus. The detainees were subjected to a lineup, transported to Pristina, and later 35 Serbs were convicted by the Basic Court in Pristina, fined 700 euros each, and deported, with a three-year ban on entry into the Kosovo Mitrovica (KiM). They were denied the right to appeal and faced alleged police torture. Advocates claim all legal procedures were violated, and human rights were breached. Analyst Dejan Miletić describes the actions as systematic terror by Pristina authorities against Serbs, comparing it to apartheid and calling it a 'civilization crime.' He urges international cooperation between Serbian diplomatic institutions and the Kosovo Institution for Mitrovica (KiM) to address the issue. Historian Ognjen Karanović warns that this form of terror against Serbs will likely intensify in the coming months.
Bias read (Left): The article frames the actions of 'Kosovska policija' as systematic terror and compares them to apartheid, using strong emotive language such as 'civilization crime,' 'systematic terror,' and 'sadism.' It emphasizes the violation of human rights and calls for international intervention, which aligns
BlicIndependentRight4 days agoThe article discusses the ongoing legal proceedings related to the Račak incident, which has been reopened despite not being part of a final verdict. Danijela Pavlović, president of the Assembly Committee for Kosovo and Metohia, criticizes the actions of Pristina, suggesting they are using these processes to exert pressure on Serbs and shift blame from the Kosovo Liberation Army (OKV) onto Serbia. She argues that the renewed focus on Račak aims to create fear among Serbs and accuse them of responsibility for the event, which she claims was a legitimate anti-terrorism operation. The article highlights concerns over the speed of judicial proceedings and questions whether this urgency serves justice or political motives.
Bias read (Right): The article frames the actions of Pristina and the renewed Račak proceedings as politically motivated efforts to shift blame and instill fear among Serbs. It emphasizes the alleged manipulation of legal processes for political gain, aligning more closely with right-wing perspectives that question Pr
Večernje novostiParty-alignedLeft4 days agoThe article reports on a statement by German politician Žaklin Nastić, who questioned the security provided to Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija by NATO, 27 years after the NATO aggression. She cited an incident where, on the anniversary of the Battle of Grabešh, the so-called 'Kosovo police' detained 37 Serbs, including women and a father separated from his minor child. Nastić emphasized that these detentions were justified by alleged provocative chants and suspicion of inciting hatred, but Serbian representatives and participants rejected these accusations, calling them attempts to intimidate Serbs who wanted to peacefully commemorate the day. She noted that there have been few public reactions from the European Union and asked whether this represents the protection and security guaranteed by NATO in their homeland of Kosovo and Metohija.
Bias read (Left): The article frames the detention of Serbs by the Kosovo police as an act of intimidation rather than legitimate law enforcement, aligning with narratives that criticize Kosovo authorities and highlight Serbian grievances. The emphasis on NATO’s failure to protect Serbs and the lack of EU response is
KurirParty-alignedLeft4 days ago 36 Serbs detained at Gazimestane: Accused of disturbing public order and "inciting hatred"!The article reports on the ongoing trial in Pristina's temporary institutions of 36 individuals who were brought to Gazimestan after a protest by Kosovo Liberation Army supporters. The individuals, including some minors, were detained by what is referred to as 'Kosovska policija' (Kosovo police), which allegedly acted aggressively toward civilians peacefully leaving the site. Family members of the detainees were present during the proceedings. The Kosovo police claimed the individuals provoked crowds by shouting provocative slogans containing elements of incitement to hatred, thereby violating legal provisions. The Serbian government’s Kosovo and Metohia Ministry described the detention process as shameful and a disgraceful act of repression by the regime of Albin Kurti.
Bias read (Left): The article frames the actions of the 'Kosovska policija' as aggressive and unjustified, while portraying the Serbian government's response as condemning the alleged repression. The emphasis on the 'shameful' nature of the detention and the reference to the 'regime of Albin Kurti' suggest a critical
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