Police fail to stop church vandalism

The ministry that adequate protection be provided for this religious, cultural and historical Orthodox Serb monument in southern Kosovo, so as to prevent any potential desecration or attacks.

This is the third time in five years that lead roof covering has been stolen from the church, while the church is being guarded by the Kosovo Police Service whose members did not even register the latest theft although their checkpoint is located right in front of the church, Serbian Minister for Kosovo Goran Bogdanovic said.

In a written statement, Bogdanovic recalled that his ministry warned earlier that the Kosovo police (MPS) cannot provide adequate protection for Serbian cultural and historical monuments and monasteries of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

This is the reason why the ministry is calling on EULEX, UNMIK and KFOR to seriously re-examine Kosovo Police Service's further engagement in the protection of Orthodox monasteries and churches, especially those which are included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list, Bogdanovic noted and added that experience so far has shown that only KFOR is able to provide adequate protection for Serbian religious, cultural and historical monuments.

The minister also recalled that the Bogorodica Ljeviska Church dates back to the 14th century and is included in the list of the World Cultural Heritage list.