On July 20, the Basic Court in Pristina ordered a 30-day detention for Igor Popović, Assistant Director of the so-called “Office for Kosovo” in the Government of Serbia. Popović was arrested at the Bërnjak border crossing on suspicion of inciting discord and intolerance.
Prosecution’s Case Cites Speeches as Evidence
“Betimi për Drejtësi” (Oath for Justice) has obtained the Special Prosecution’s request for Popović’s detention, which alleges that he incited hatred between Albanians and Serbs through a speech he gave in Rahovec.
According to the request, there is a reasonable suspicion that on July 18, 2025, at around 12:00 PM in Rahovec, the defendant intentionally addressed an undetermined number of people. Aware that his speech was being broadcast by the media, he is alleged to have publicly incited and spread hatred and intolerance between Serbs and Albanians with words that could disrupt public order.
The prosecution’s file quotes Popović’s alleged words during the Rahovec speech:
- “…Serbs suffered here in the region of Rahovec, Metohija, Kosovo and Metohija because they are natives and have their roots here and do not allow anyone to declare them occupiers, newcomers, and drive them away from here…”
- “…Few remain due to the serious crimes that have occurred throughout Metohija, the most serious of which was the murder of children in Gorazhdec, and the displaced are denied return in every way…”
- “….It remains for us to be proud of the bravery of the victims and the brothers who remain here and to strive for Hoça e Madhe and Rahoveci to remain Serbian, for Serbian houses and Serbian schools to be built here, for Serbian children to be born, for Serbian institutions to exist and this is the duty of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija and for the Government of Serbia.”
The prosecution argues that these statements publicly incited hatred and spread distrust and intolerance among the diverse national groups living in Kosovo, thus harming the coexistence of Serbs and Albanians.
Legal Grounds for Detention
Popović is suspected of committing the criminal offense of “Inciting discord and intolerance” under Article 141, paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kosovo.
According to the Special Prosecution, detention was deemed necessary because an investigation has been launched against the defendant, he does not have a residence in Kosovo, and he is a citizen of Serbia. This circumstance presents a real risk of his flight, which would hinder the criminal proceedings.
Kosovo’s acting Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla, had previously stated that “security institutions will not tolerate insults and distortions of Kosovo’s history,” adding that Popović would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
