A narrative repeated in some Serbian and Russian-language media claims that Kosovo institutions, on the eve of the electoral processes, are deliberately intensifying indictments and trials for war crimes against Serbs, with the aim of promoting an "anti-Serbian policy" and the electoral mobilization of the Albanian electorate.
This narrative has been spread by media outlets such as, RTS, RT Balkan, Sputnik Serbia, Blic.rs, Kosovo Online and Universal, often with changed titles, such as "Anti-Serb politics are strengthening in Pristina before the elections."
At the center of these claims are the statements of Veljko Odalović, who has stated that “the story that Serbs are guilty of everything sells well” and that this is enough to motivate the electorate and win votes. According to him, the indictments for war crimes, trials in absentia and court proceedings against Serbs are presented as part of a political strategy of the authorities in Kosovo.
This narrative is built on the idea of collective victimization of the Serbian community in Kosovo, claiming that the justice system acts selectively only towards Serbs and that there are no trials against Albanians for war crimes. In this context, the claim that “there is no Albanian accused” is often mentioned, creating the impression of absolute institutional bias and lack of justice for Serbian victims.
Through this discourse, the media that distribute the narrative attempt to present Kosovo as an environment where justice is politically instrumentalized and where trials of war crimes suspects are interpreted as a form of pressure on the Serbian community.
Trials of Serbs and the connection to the campaign
The trial of Serbs in Kosovo is currently underway on several key fronts, including war crimes, terrorism cases, and recent arrests for security reasons.
Kosovo has started implementing the law on trial in absentia, which allows for the prosecution of persons suspected of war crimes and sexual violence during 1998-1999, but who are not found on the territory of Kosovo.
The trial of individuals accused of attacks on institutions and the constitutional order is continuing. An important case is that of Milun Milenkovic, Dejan Pantic and others, where defense witnesses are being heard.
In April 2025, four Serbs were arrested in Gjakova after weapons were found in their vehicle; they were initially presented as pilgrims.
There are complaints from defense lawyers about delays in trials, such as in the case of five Serbs from Anamorava, whose trial is reported to have been delayed. without moving for a year and a half since May
Officials in Belgrade often describe these convictions and trials as abuses and political pressure towards the Serbian community in Kosovo.
The narrative linking trials of Serbs to election campaigns in Kosovo has been repeatedly used by officials and media in Serbia to interpret the trials as politically motivated actions.