Vucic targets British MP over Orthodox church smuggling claims

Comments by a British MP Alicia Kearns have caused controversy in Kosovo, leading to Serbian President Aleksander Vucic threatening an investigation into her and calls from British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for both sides to defuse tensions.

Kearns, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the British Parliament, said that weapons from Serbia are being smuggled into Kosovo using emergency vehicles and stockpiled in Serbian Orthodox Church facilities.

“The government is aware, and our soldiers who have just returned from serving in KFOR, that weaponry is smuggled from the border from Serbia to Orthodox churches in ambulances. When our bodies are aware of this and try to get permission and catch them, the permission is greatly extended. By the time permission is secured – ‘surprisingly’ – an ambulance appeared in the church and took out all the weapons again”, she said.

She also expressed her concern that Britain is selling weapons to Serbia and “how can it be known that none of what Britain sells is being used” for crimes such as kidnapping of three Kosovo policemen.

KFOR said they had investigated the matter but no evidence had emerged.

US demands release of Kosovo police from Serbia, MEP blames it on Vucic's domestic issues

The US State Department has called on Serbia to immediately release the three Kosovo policemen Pristina said were kidnapped on Wednesday, also asking that both sides move to de-escalate tensions.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Albin Kurti said the police officers were …

Kearns requested that the mandate of KFOR be extended to have a more proactive approach in combating the smuggling of weapons and militias in the north of Kosovo.

Vucic responded to the allegations by calling her a lobbyist and adding, “we are conducting an investigation against you to see who is financing you.”

But he also said he was planning to sign a decision to ban further ammunition exports from the country “as Serbia’s vital national interest is threatened.”

“Serbia is not preparing for war, but it is ready to save its people’s lives,” he added.

The president also said he is considering declaring the special units of Kosovo Police and its intelligence structures as terrorist organisations following a request from the Serb List political party in northern Kosovo. This comes after Pristina declared two Serb organisations as terrorist groups last week.

He said the decision would be taken within two weeks, and international partners would be informed in due course.

As for the allegations against Kearns, the Serbian Ambassador to the US, Marko Djuric, repeated the rhetoric that she is financed or motivated by an external force.

“I also believe that the relevant British authorities should investigate in a public and transparent manner her motives for making these deeply damaging and false accusations – playing with the narrative of the radical diaspora associated with Kurti,” the Serbian Ambassador noted.

“We call on all political leaders to be careful, responsible, and respect the truth when dealing with such sensitive issues. Encouraging understanding and reconciliation among all communities is essential for building a better future,” Djuric concluded.

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On Monday, Serbia released three Kosovar police officers after accusations from Pristina they were “kidnapped” from within Kosovo’s territory, with President Vjosa Osmani thanking the US for their input but calling for Serbia to be held accountable.

The officers were arrested …

Kearns has become a target for Serbia due to her outspoken position supporting Kosovo amid the ongoing tensions in the country’s north. She has defended the position of Prime Minister Albin Kurti and criticised the EU and the US for a soft stance on Serbia, noting that Belgrade has violated multiple EU agreements, not implemented others, and is backsliding in almost all areas.

She also recently called out the lack of justice in the case of three US citizens of Albanian origin who were executed in Serbian police custody 24 years ago. At the time, Vucic, who was prime minister, promised justice, but the case is unsolved today.

Meanwhile, Sunak told British Parliament that it was necessary to defuse tensions in the north immediately and that both sides should find a way back to the dialogue table.

On the topic of extending the KFOR mandate as requested by Kearns, he said, “I am particularly concerned about the situation in the north of Kosovo, which you know, and we strongly condemn the unprovoked attacks by protesters against KFOR personnel. The Foreign Secretary has already told the Prime Minister of Kosovo and Serbia that the leaders in Belgrade and Pristina have a responsibility to reduce the tension and prevent further violence,” said Sunak.

Kearns responded, “we are in the era of preventative diplomacy, and it is time to protect stability now.

(Alice Taylor | Exit.al)