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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Despite guarantees, KFOR did not protect the Serbs in the north of Kosovo and Metohija

Belgrade, 29 May 2023

President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic stated at an extraordinary press conference that 52 Serbs were injured today in Zvecan during the KFOR intervention, three of them seriously, and that they were taken care of at the Clinical Hospital Centre Kosovska Mitrovica.

Vucic said that Dragisa Galjak (50), who was shot with two bullets by Albanian special forces, is the most seriously injured, that he underwent surgery and that doctors fought for his life, and that he is now in intensive care.

The President pointed out that despite the guarantees, KFOR did not protect the Serbs nor prevented the illegal takeover of municipalities in the north of Kosovo and Metohija and explained the chronology of events from this morning.

Vucic said that in the last three days, everyone could understand what was being prepared, as well as Kurti's desire for a major conflict between the Serbs and NATO, while saying that it has nothing to do with him.

Vucic said that the Serbs from the north of Kosovo and Metohija gathered at seven o'clock this morning to express their dissatisfaction with the illegal takeover of local self-governments.

KFOR soldiers, barbed wire and so-called municipal mayors also waited, the President noted and explained that the two ROSU vehicles were surrounded by Serbs, who did not use any violence against them.

According to him, the Serbs proposed to KFOR to replace the special forces and take over the municipal facilities, and that the fake mayors withdraw, which KFOR refused and ultimately asked the Serbs to let the vehicles of the "Kosovo Police" pass.

As the Serbs did not agree to this, KFOR went into action, during which the soldiers started hitting the crowd.

He added that a member of ROSU, and not a member of KFOR, fired several shots in the direction of the Serbs who were retreating and that he hit Dragisa Galjak with two bullets, after which the Serbs responded with stones and other means.

Vučić sent a request to the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija not to enter into a conflict with NATO soldiers, because that is what Kurti wants most, but to protest in a peaceful way, just like they are doing today.

We will not allow the slaughter of Serbs, the President emphasised and added that he had spoken with international officials, and that a meeting with representatives of the Quint should be held tomorrow.

He repeated that Serbia will do everything to preserve peace, stressing that Serbs must know that they have a responsible leadership.

Vucic specified that 41 KFOR members were injured in the clashes, mostly from the Hungarian and Italian contingents, of whom three were seriously injured, and he expressed the hope that none of them is life-threatened.