The Basic Court of Pristina has ordered one month of detention for Igor Popović, the assistant director of Serbia’s Office for Kosovo in the Government of Serbia.
Popović was detained by the Kosovo Police on Friday, July 18, 2025, following a speech he delivered in Rahovec where he spoke against the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA).
The decision to impose detention on Popović was confirmed to KALLXO.com by Pristina Court spokesperson Mirlinda Gashi on Sunday, July 20, 2025.
Accusations of Inciting Hatred and Ethnic Division
Acting Minister of Internal Affairs of Kosovo, Xhelal Sveçla, had confirmed Popović’s detention by the Kosovo Police. According to Sveçla, Popović’s statements during his speech incited hatred and inter-ethnic division in the country.
“He characterized the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) as a terrorist organization, comparing its actions to grave events in world history. For this reason, the Serbian government official was detained at the Bërnjak border crossing point and then transported to the police station in North Mitrovica,” Sveçla wrote.
Sveçla further stated that measures against Popović are expected to be taken in accordance with the laws in force in Kosovo.
“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. We will not tolerate insults and desecration of our history, let alone our Liberation War led by the KLA. This part of history enjoys the respect of the entire progressive world,” the acting Minister of Internal Affairs wrote.
He added, “Milošević-style declarations, which the political administration of Serbia led by Vučić still keeps alive and disseminates everywhere, are reprehensible because they are divisive, untrue because they are fabricated, and harmful because they contradict every international norm of neighborliness and progressive societies.”
Meanwhile, Serbia’s Office for Kosovo announced that it has informed Brussels about the detention of its assistant director, Igor Popović, by Kosovo authorities, demanding his “immediate release.”
