Serbian Church demands action over beating of parishioner in Kosovo

Nenad Rašković after allegedly being beaten by Kosovo police officers. Photo: Kosovo Online

On August 12, 2026, the Raška-Prizren Eparchy of the Serbian Orthodox Church demanded an investigation into the alleged beating of a parishioner by Kosovo police officers, UOJ in Serbia reports.

Nenad Rašković, a resident of the village of Dren, said that three police officers first beat him in his own home while demanding that he hand over a rifle which, according to him, he did not possess. He said the officers then handcuffed him, took him into a forest, tied him to a tree, and continued beating him with a rubber hose while covering his mouth with a cloth.

Rašković was hospitalized with injuries to his head and chest and a fractured rib. Because of the severity of his condition, he was later transferred to Belgrade for treatment.

The eparchy said an investigation must establish who was responsible, stressing that no police action can justify the beating and humiliation of a person. The Church called for the case to be handled by the prosecutor’s office and the police inspectorate under the supervision of the ombudsman and EULEX – the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo.

The Raška-Prizren Eparchy also demanded that, if the allegations are confirmed, the police officers involved be removed from operational duties until the investigation is completed and that Rašković and his family be provided with protection. Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija were urged to remain calm, avoid provocations, and report any threats or acts of violence.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Serbian Church had warned of the worsening situation of Serbs in Kosovo.

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