Statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs Marko Đurić

Yesterday’s decision by the so-called Special Prosecutor’s Office of the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government in Priština to issue indictments against 11 Serbs, for their alleged involvement in the 2022 barricades, constitutes an overt act of political persecution and yet another attempt to intimidate the Serbian population in Kosovo and Metohija.

This move is not only legally unfounded, but also directly contradicts the joint statement of the European Union and the United States Department of State from December 2022, which led to the removal of the barricades under international guarantees that no repressive measures would be taken against the participants. With this action, Priština is directly undermining the credibility of the EU as a mediator and gravely violating the spirit of de-escalation established at that time.

This is not only an attack on the Serbian people, but also yet another provocation by Kurti’s regime aimed at the international community – another clear affront, accompanied by the unlawful targeting of Serbs through abusive legal measures. Such conduct reflects open contempt for previously reached agreements and effectively blocks progress in the dialogue.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia underscores that such actions represent a blatant violation of basic human rights and fuel new ethnic tensions that directly threaten regional peace and stability. Serbs who peacefully advocated for their legitimate rights – rights which they were forced to defend following unilateral acts by Kurti’s regime – are now being treated as criminals. This sets a dangerous precedent and sends a clear signal that the regime is systematically pursuing a policy of ethnic cleansing.

Regardless of the motives behind these actions—whether internal political instability, institutional paralysis, electoral calculations, or attempts to weaken Serbia’s position in the international arena—they must not go unanswered.

We call on all relevant international institutions, particularly those with a mandate in the Province—and above all, those who endorsed the joint statement of December 2022—to react urgently and stand in defense of the fundamental rights of the Serbian people. It is imperative to immediately halt the unilateral actions of Kurti’s government and return to substantive dialogue as the only sustainable path to peace and stability.

The Republic of Serbia will continue to offer strong support to Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, employing all diplomatic and legal means to safeguard their rights. We will not remain silent in the face of institutional violence and attempts at ethnic cleansing.