In Kosovo, police are arresting Orthodox believers of the Serbian Church

The Raška-Prizren Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church issued a strong protest against the mass detentions of Serbian believers that took place in Kosovo following the celebration of Vidovdan. The actions of the police, who used force against participants in the commemorative events, were described by church leaders as a manifestation of systemic discrimination.

The incident occurred on June 30, 2026, when Kosovo law enforcement authorities detained 37 people, including a minor. According to eyewitness accounts cited by the Orthodoxia News Agency, police used unjustified violence during searches. The diocese emphasized that the faithful deliberately refrained from using national symbols to avoid conflict, but this did not spare them from repression.

In an official statement, Church representatives emphasized that Gazimestan is a place of spiritual heritage and prayer for Serbs, not a venue for political provocations. In this regard, the diocese’s leadership demanded that international missions, including the OSCE and EULEX, ensure an impartial investigation into the circumstances of the incident. Believers are calling on the international community to move from declarations to concrete actions to protect human rights, so that the Serbian people can visit holy sites without fear of humiliation or arrest.