Acting Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla, stated that Kosovo will not tolerate insults or desecration of its history, especially concerning the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). His comments followed the arrest of Igor Popović, Assistant Director of Serbia’s so-called “Office for Kosovo,” at the Bërnjak border crossing on Friday.
Popović was arrested after he reportedly labeled the KLA a “terrorist organization” during a ceremony earlier in the day in Hoçë e Madhe.
Firm Stance Against Provocation
In a Facebook post, Sveçla confirmed that Popović was taken to the police station in North Mitrovica, and measures against him are expected to be taken in accordance with applicable laws.
“I want to emphasize that the Republic of Kosovo is a democratic and sovereign state. We have neither violated another state nor provoked the population of another state, nor will we allow such actions against us,” Sveçla wrote. “We will not tolerate insults and desecration of our history, much less our Liberation War led by the KLA. This part of history enjoys the respect of the entire progressive world.”
Condemnation of “Milošević-Era” Rhetoric
The acting Minister further stated that “Milošević-era statements, which the political administration of Serbia led by Vučić still keeps alive and disseminates everywhere, are punishable because they are divisive, untrue because they are fabricated, and harmful because they are contrary to every international norm of good neighborliness and progressive societies.”
