“Zahir Pajaziti” Memorial Complex in Orllan, Podujeva Damaged, Police Launch Investigation

Kosovo Police have launched an investigation after the “Zahir Pajaziti” Memorial Complex in Orllan, Podujeva was damaged.

In the police’s 24-hour report, it was announced that after receiving the information, police units went to the scene and found damage to the complex’s auxiliary building.

“After receiving the information, police units went to the scene and in the auxiliary building — in the tower — noticed several damages to the ceiling and in the building’s corridor. The prosecutor was also informed about the case, while police units are investigating the incident,” the police report states.

Acting Minister for Labour, Family and the Values of the Liberation War, Andin Hoti, also reacted to the incident, strongly condemning the damage to the memorial and describing it as a blow to Kosovo’s history and collective memory.

“Today we were informed about the damage to the ‘Zahir Pajaziti’ Memorial Complex. Damage to the memorial complexes of Kosovo’s martyrs and heroes is not merely vandalism, but an attack on collective memory, on our history, and on the very foundations upon which the Republic of Kosovo was built,” Hoti wrote.

He stressed that these memorials represent the sacrifice of those who gave their lives for the country’s freedom and that any attack on them remains unacceptable.

“These memorials are not stone and concrete, but testimony to the sacrifice of those who gave their lives so that we may live freely today. Whoever raises a hand against them should know that they are raising a hand against the dignity of our state,” he said.

Hoti also expressed concern over the increase in similar cases, calling on justice institutions to treat them with the utmost seriousness.

“Such cases, which have become more frequent recently, like today’s case involving the ‘Zahir Pajaziti’ Memorial Complex, are unacceptable and must be treated with the utmost seriousness by justice institutions,” the acting minister stressed.

In conclusion, he called for the perpetrators to be identified and to receive the punishment предусмотренный by law, underlining that there should be neither tolerance nor silence for such acts.

“The perpetrators must be identified and face the most severe consequences provided for by the legislation in force. There can be neither tolerance nor silence for such acts. Respect for martyrs and heroes is not a matter of political conviction. It is a civic, moral and state obligation. Kosovo will not allow its history to be desecrated,” Hoti concluded.