A Serbian Orthodox Church is suspected to have been under illegal construction on one of the hills in Gračanica, near Pristina, reports Reporteri.net.
Construction on the site has been halted since April 22, 2025, following a temporary ban order from the State Prosecutor. A request for a final ban order has been filed with the court. According to the Basic Prosecution in Pristina, the investigation is still in its early stages, and no further details can be provided to avoid compromising the integrity of the investigation.
The prosecutor is investigating two criminal offenses: Abuse of official position or authority and Construction without a permit. According to the law, any religious building in Kosovo requires approval from the Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning, and Infrastructure, but this ministry has yet to respond regarding the case in Gračanica.
Reporteri.net journalist Leonora Kolukaj, who visited the construction site, stated that she was not allowed to record as the property was labeled “private.” However, the newspaper’s team was able to obtain drone footage of the construction site, which is now cordoned off with police tape from the Kosovo Police.
During a meeting with the reporters, an individual identified as Millosh, the secretary of the Serbian Orthodox Church, declined to comment on the construction, requesting that all inquiries be sent to the Diocese of Raška and Prizren, which has not yet provided a response.
Deputy Mayor of Gračanica, Leutrim Ajeti, mentioned he had heard about the illegal construction but emphasized that he had not dealt with the issue, as it falls under urban planning.
