Patriarch Porfiry spreads disinformation in Christmas speech: Serbs in Kosovo are the most threatened nation in Europe

During his most important Orthodox Christmas address, Serbian Patriarch Porfiry spread false information about the situation of the Serbian people in Kosovo. He dedicated part of his holiday message to the Serbs in Kosovo, who he said are the most threatened and defenseless people on the European continent.

What did he say?

“We feel the paternal need to address our voice this Christmas first and foremost to our spiritual children in Kosovo… The Serbian nation, in its centuries-old homeland, has been the most threatened and defenseless nation on the European continent for a while. Quarter of a century.” It is subjected to pressure, arrests, the forcible seizure of local self-government, the closure of local health services, the confiscation of land and other private property and the destruction of cemeteries and cultural monuments, and lives in constant fear and persecution.

Analysis:

Patriarch Porfirije used his Christmas address to address the Serbian government’s disinformation campaign claiming that persecution and threats against Serbs are taking place in Kosovo. He deliberately exploited the large number of his followers to spread this unfounded story. The Serbian cleric spread misinformation when he claimed that the Serbs were the most endangered people in Europe. However, there is no evidence for this. In Kosovo, the rights of minorities are protected by the constitution and laws. And the security institutions, including the Kosovo police, are at this service without distinguishing between citizens on the basis of their ethnicity. Porfirije also provides false information when he claims that there was a violent takeover in the local government. It was the largest Serbian party, the Serbian List, which refused to participate in the elections on a directive from Belgrade. The elections were then held democratically and the legitimate candidates with the most votes were elected to the municipal buildings. Another piece of misinformation concerns religious sites that Porfirije claims were destroyed. No damage to properties has been reported or observed and there are no reports to support his claim./G. Venhari-The Geopost/