Belgrade – Ministry for Kosovo and Metohija demands that of theft of 20 square meters of lead covering from the roof of the Church of the Virgin Ljeviska in Prizren, listed as the UNESCO world heritage site, must be identified and punished. The Ministry also requests that this cultural-historical monument must finally be provided with adequate protection from desecration and attacks.

This is the third theft of lead sheath in the last five years. The fact that members of the Kosovo police protecting the church and whose check point is just outside the church, never even registered the theft, is deeply disconcerting.

The Ministry for Kosovo-Metohija has repeatedly underlined and warned that Kosovo police are unable to provide adequate security to the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) monasteries nor to other Serbian cultural and historical monuments in Kosovo-Metohija, which regretfully is best illustrated by the case of Our Lady of Ljevis, the Minister Bogdanovic pointed out.

Therefore the Ministry strongly requests that the EULEX, UNMIK and KFOR seriously reconsider further involvement of the Kosovo police in protection of SPC churches and monasteries, especially those from the World Cultural Heritage list.

Practice has demonstrated that only KFOR can provide adequate protection to Serbian religious and cultural heritage sites.

As to the Ministry for Kosovo-Metohija, it shall do its part to repair the damage to the church, in order to avoid any distortions on the icons and religious painting due to increased humidity.

Minister Bogdanovic recalled that Our Lady of Ljevis dates back to the 14th century and has been listed by the UNESCO as a world heritage site. After being severely damaged and torched in the March 2004 unrests, the reconstruction so far included placing a new lead roof covering as well as completion of the damaged turret west of the temple. Further process of reconstruction should include a detailed protection of the walls covered in fresco paintings.