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Muharrem Salihu raises concern over the presence of Serbian military forces in Medvegjë

Businessman and Albanian activist Muharrem Salihu has denounced the increased presence of Serbian military forces in Medvegjë during the voting process for the snap parliamentary elections being held in Serbia today.

He described the situation as a painful and alarming picture for the future of Albanians in their indigenous lands.

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Salihu said he voted at “Zenel Hajdini” elementary school in Tupallë, his birthplace. According to him, what he saw that day was not related solely to the conduct of the election, as he noticed a considerable presence of Serbian military forces in the center of Medvegjë. He also said that Albanians were very poorly represented on the commissions at polling stations, with a ratio that, based on his observation, was approximately one to eight compared with representatives of other communities.

Another concern he raised is the mass deactivation of Albanians’ addresses in Medvegjë, a process that, according to Salihu, has prevented many of them from exercising their right to vote.

He stressed that, regardless of the election result and its impact on Serbia’s political life, the European Union and the international community must make it clear to Belgrade that Serbia belongs to all its citizens, not only Serbs. According to him, every citizen should feel free, equal and safe, without being discriminated against on the basis of ethnicity, especially Albanians, whom he describes as an indigenous people in these lands.

“Medvegjë is not merely a point on the map, but history, identity, memory and the right to live freely in your own country. Today we voted to demonstrate our presence, while tomorrow we must continue to demand our rights with persistence, dignity and determination. Our presence cannot be erased through an administrative decision, and our rights cannot be eliminated through the deactivation of addresses. Medvegjë deserves justice, while its Albanians deserve equality and dignity,” Salihu said.