Protest in Serbia: No divisions, Kosovo is part of Serbia

Hundreds of people have gathered in Belgrade on Monday to protest “as a sign of support for Serbs” in Kosovo.

Protest was held in front of St. Sava Church.

The call for protest has become known on the social network Telegram, in the channels of several right-wing organisations in Serbia.

One of the organizers wearing a mask on his face has told the audience that he does not want to disclose his identity, but he is from Kosovo.

He has told the crowd that he does not want “Association of Serb majority municipalities” and that Kosovo is part of Serbia.

Protesters have been singing songs for Kosovo and derogatory songs for Albanians in Kosovo.

They have shouted “Serbs and Russians, brothers forever” as well as “no divisions, Kosovo is part of Serbia”.

They have carried flags from Serbia and Russia, as well as inscriptions “Kosovo does not surrender to”.

Protesters have also moved to the streets of downtown, which have closed to traffic.

They have burned the Kosovo flag before the presidency of Serbia, Rel reports

Protesters have later said they are awaiting “the response of the state”.

Protests in Belgrade have been held at the time of increasing tensions in northern Kosovo.

Some local Serbs in northern Kosovo have set up barricades on roads leading to two border crossings with Serbia, Jarinje and Brnjak since 10 December.

That was their response to the arrest of former Serbian police officer Dejan Pantek, by order authorities in Kosovo.

He was later pronounced a month-long detention measure.

Pantic allegedly organised “terrorist attack” at the offices of the Central Election Commission in northern Kosovo.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has said he expects the peacekeeping mission NATO, KFOR, remove the barricades in the north.

Kosovo's Minister of Internal Affairs, Jhelal Svecla, has said Kosovo Police also have the capacity to act in this direction.

The international community has also called for the removal of barricades.

Serbia's president, Aleksandar Vuciq, has said that “is shocked with statements by several European officials who have called for the removal of barricades”. No one from Belgrade has ordered barricades”, he said.

The European Union's Mission to Rule Law in Kosovo, EULEX, meanwhile, has confirmed that an observer patrol in Rudare ʹ the northern part of Kosovo has been attacked with shock-fired on the evening of December 10th by, reportedly armed men. The international community has condemned this attack.

There have been attacks on Kosovo Police as well as some exchanges of firearms.

Kosovo authorities have blamed <x0 criminal gangs”, led by Belgrade.