Kosovo Police have challenged statements published by the Raška-Prizren Eparchy, describing them as unfounded and inconsistent with the reality of the institution’s work.
In its response to the public, the police said they do not implement policies of pressure, intimidation or discrimination against the Serb community and the Serbian Orthodox Church.
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“Such claims are not supported by facts, do not reflect the reality of Kosovo Police activities, and create a false perception of the institution’s mandate, composition and manner of operation,” the Kosovo Police said in their response.
According to the police, the institution is constitutional and professional, based on the principles of democracy and the rule of law. Its ranks include members of all communities living in Kosovo, including the Serb community.
The police stressed that their actions are carried out exclusively in accordance with the law and on the basis of individual responsibility. They said the institution’s multi-ethnic character, civilian oversight and cooperation with international partners rule out the possibility of actions motivated by ethnicity, religion or politics.
Protection of the Serbian Orthodox Church and religious ceremonies
For more than a decade, Kosovo Police say they have secured hundreds of religious ceremonies, pilgrimages and activities of the Serbian Orthodox Church throughout Kosovo.
Kosovo Police said that special operational plans are prepared every year, in coordination with representatives of the Serbian Orthodox Church, KFOR and other relevant institutions.
Regarding the June 28, 2026 ceremony in Gazimestan, the police stressed that the event was held without intervention or obstruction on their part.
“Police actions undertaken after the conclusion of the ceremony were not directed against worshippers, Serbian identity or religious rites. Police measures were taken only against individuals for whom there were reasonable suspicions of conduct containing elements of incitement to hatred, provocation or disruption of public order,” the statement said.
The police also clarified that decisions to impose fines, deport individuals or ban entry were not made by them, but by the competent administrative and judicial bodies, based on evidence in each case.
24 Serbian religious sites guarded around the clock by Kosovo Police
According to the police, safeguarding cultural and religious heritage is one of their main duties.
After responsibilities were transferred from KFOR, Kosovo Police took over the protection of cultural and religious heritage sites and established the Directorate for the Protection of Cultural Heritage Sites (DSOTK).
Police data show that DSOTK includes members from all communities. More than 16 percent belong to the Serb community, while the directorate is headed by a major from that community.
During this period, 24 Serbian cultural and religious heritage sites have been guarded continuously, 24 hours a day, by Kosovo Police officers.
Statistics of cases at religious sites
Kosovo Police also presented statistical data on cases registered at cultural and religious heritage sites.
In 2024, 53 cases were recorded. Of these, 34 cases, or 64 percent, were reported at Muslim sites; 16 cases, or 30 percent, at Orthodox sites; and 3 cases, or 6 percent, at Catholic sites.
During 2025, 35 cases were registered, with 22 cases, or 63 percent, at Muslim sites, 10 cases, or 29 percent, at Orthodox sites, and 3 cases, or 8 percent, at Catholic sites.
For the January-June 2026 period, the police recorded 34 cases: 27 cases, or 79 percent, at Muslim sites; 5 cases, or 15 percent, at Orthodox sites; and 2 cases, or 6 percent, at Catholic sites.
According to the police, most of these cases are linked to property-related motives, including thefts and aggravated thefts.
Cases with inter-ethnic motives declining
Kosovo Police said they handle cases that may have inter-ethnic motives professionally and impartially, adding that their number has declined year after year.
According to the published figures, 31 such cases were registered in 2023, 25 cases were recorded in 2024, and only 5 cases in 2025.
In concluding their response, Kosovo Police stressed that they will continue to guarantee security for all communities without distinction and called on citizens to cooperate with the institution in preserving overall security in the country.
