Orthodox church in Kosovo desecrated

Source: Tanjug

GNJILANE -- Serbian Orthodox Church of St. George in the village of Stanišor was burgled Friday night and money was stolen from the register, Kosovo police have confirmed.

Kosovo police regional spokesman Ismet Hasani told Tanjug that the police had inspected the scene and determined that a burglary took place and that the crime was not ethnically motivated.
“The front door was broken and less than a hundred dinars was taken from the church register, because there was no more money there. The crime is not ethnically motivated, and we were informed about the desecration by the priests early this morning,” said Hasani.

The police spokesman said the church was also targeted by burglars a year ago but that the perpetrator was identified and arrested.

Priest Velja Stojković said the burglars broke the padlock on the door, the glass on an icon, a cross and the front door.

The St. George’s Church was built over 200 years ago and has been the target of vandals and burglars several times since the arrival of international forces.

This is the second case of desecration of Serbian Orthodox churches in Kosovsko Pomoravlje in the last month.

The Church of St. Nicholas in Kosovska Kamenica was desecrated and robbed in February.